Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Enshrined at ‘Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham’; Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Performs Pran Pratishtha (Videos)
Pune: Amid a vibrant atmosphere of devotion, dhol-tasha beats and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Bappa was ceremoniously enshrined at the Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham Temple.
The grand arrival procession witnessed a spectacular shower of seven colours, while a seven-tier human pyramid formed at Budhwar Chowk to welcome Bappa became one of the major attractions. Thousands of devotees participated in the procession.
As per the annual tradition, festival chief and trustee Punit Balan, along with Janhavi Dhariwal-Balan, performed the traditional puja and aarti of Bappa at Rangari Bhavan in the morning. This was followed by nagara performances before the procession began with Bappa seated in a traditional chariot decorated with flowers and banana leaves.
The procession proceeded from Rangari Bhavan via Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, Budhwar Chowk, Appa Balwant Chowk and Bajirao Road. Several renowned dhol-tasha groups, including Shriram Pathak, Nadbrahma, Dnyan Prabodhini, Aavartan, Vadyavrund and Samarth, performed during the procession.
At Budhwar Chowk, Govindas associated with the Kasba Pune Dahi Handi group formed a seven-tier human pyramid and offered a ceremonial salute to Bappa. Devotees and volunteers then released seven colours into the air, while youths danced to the rhythm of dhol-tasha. The entire area reverberated with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”.
At around 12.30 pm, the procession reached Shri Ganesh Suvarnadham Temple, where Bappa was placed in an elaborately decorated makhar. Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the internationally renowned flautist, performed the ceremonial Pran Pratishtha amid Vedic chants and traditional rituals.
Thousands of devotees attended the aarti and sought Bappa’s blessings. Later, Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj and MP Supriya Sule also visited the temple and offered prayers.
“Like every year, the arrival procession of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati was celebrated with immense enthusiasm. We are delighted that Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia performed the Pran Pratishtha. We prayed that Bappa removes all difficulties facing the state, blesses Maharashtra with abundant rainfall, and grants everyone happiness, peace, good health and prosperity.”
- Punit Balan, Festival Chief and Trustee, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to come to Maharashtra and perform the Pran Pratishtha of this revered Ganpati. Being part of this sacred ceremony is a great blessing. I pray at Bappa’s feet that everyone is blessed with happiness, prosperity, peace and good health.”
- Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
