Ganeshotsav to Be Celebrated in Kashmir Despite Terror Threats
Idols of Pune’s three revered Ganpatis handed over to Ganesh mandals from Kashmir Valley
Punit Balan and Pune’s prominent Ganesh mandals continue initiative for the fifth consecutive year
Pune: Ganesh mandal volunteers in Kashmir have resolved to celebrate the public Ganesh festival with enthusiasm this year despite alleged death threats from terror organisations warning them against organising the festivities.
Against this backdrop, idols representing three of Pune’s revered Ganpatis were ceremonially handed over to representatives of Ganesh mandals from the Kashmir Valley following traditional prayers. Pune-based entrepreneur Punit Balan, along with prominent Ganesh mandals of the city, has taken the initiative for the fifth consecutive year to support public Ganeshotsav celebrations in Kashmir.
Public Ganeshotsav celebrations at Lal Chowk in Kashmir resumed in 2022 after a gap of nearly 34 years. Over the past three years, the festival has subsequently been celebrated with enthusiasm at various locations across the Kashmir Valley. Organisers are planning to expand the celebrations further this year.
For this year’s festival, idols associated with Pune’s first Manacha Ganpati, Shri Kasba Ganpati; second Manacha Ganpati, Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari; and third Manacha Ganpati, Guruji Talim, were handed over to representatives of Ganesh mandals from Kashmir after a ceremonial puja.
Representatives from Kashmir, including Mohit Bhan, Rishabh Chaku, Shishant Chaku, Sandeep Raina, Sanjeev Raina, Hitesh Raina and Sandeep Kaul, were present to receive the idols.
Also present on the occasion were Punit Balan, trustee and festival head of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust; Alankar Police Station Senior Police Inspector Ulhas Kadam; Pravin Pardeshi of Guruji Talim Mandal; Tulshibaug Mandal president Vikas Pawar; Prashant Tikar of Tambdi Jogeshwari Mandal; and Suraj Thorat of Akhil Mandai Mandal, among others.
‘Courage of Kashmir’s Ganeshotsav Volunteers Deserves Appreciation’
Commenting on the development, Punit Balan said that plans had initially been made to organise public Ganeshotsav celebrations across four to five districts of Kashmir this year.
“However, volunteers involved in organising the festival received death threats from terror organisations. Despite these threats, their determination to celebrate Ganeshotsav without fearing for their own lives is truly commendable. Their courage and commitment deserve appreciation,” Balan said.
- Punit Balan, Trustee and Festival Head, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust
