Mumbai and Pune Kick Off Devotions with Fervor
The 2025 Ganesh Chaturthi festival began on August 27 as households and community pandals across Pune welcomed Lord Ganesha with vibrant rituals and the chant of «Ganapati Bappa Morya.»
Streets were adorned in festive décor, markets buzzed with activity, and devotees embraced eco-friendly decoration methods alongside traditional flair. Cultural themes, such as Shaivite legends and regional unity, were prominently displayed in creative setups that fused devotion with storytelling.
Mass Chanting Ceremony Highlights Women’s Spiritual Unity
In Pune, despite morning rains, around 35,000 women gathered at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust’s pandal to participate in a heartfelt recitation of the Atharvashirsha, a sacred hymn to Lord Ganapati.
This annual ceremony—symbolizing spiritual harmony and empowerment—was carried out under the careful coordination of hundreds of volunteers. Among the attendees was Anna Maraniello from Italy, who joined the event to document the growing Global Ganesh Festival movement.
Hubballi-Dharwad’s Mythological Displays Capture Crowds
In Karnataka’s Hubballi-Dharwad, over 500 public Ganesha idols graced the city with elaborate installations depicting mythological tales.
The Sri Ganeshotsav Mandal’s recreation of the Mylaralingeshwara temple included a daily performance dramatizing Shiva’s transformation into Martanda Bhairava and Parvati’s victory as Ganga Malavva.
Other creative displays included replicas of iconic temples and idols—each crafted to engage and inspire devotion in both young and old.
Environmental Debate Overshadows Idol Immersions
Tensions flared in several regions between devotees favouring traditional clay idol immersions in natural water bodies and municipal authorities advocating for eco-friendly artificial ponds.
This dispute underscored the need for collaborative planning to balance religious customs with environmental sustainability as the festival approaches its culmination.
Festival at a Glance:
- Date: August 27 marks the first day of Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025.
- Fervor and Meaning: Across India, families and communities unite in music, rituals and festive admiration of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, new beginnings and the remover of obstacles.
- Key Ritual Time (Madhyahna Muhurat): The most auspicious window for worship is from approximately 11:05 AM to 1:40 PM on August 27.
- Visarjan: The farewell procession, where idols are immersed in water, will take place on September 6.
Ganesh Chaturthi this year blends devotion, elaborate traditions and contemporary awareness. From massive displays and spiritual gatherings to debates over eco-conscious practices, the festival embodies India’s deep cultural roots and evolving modern spirit.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports about Melon 2025 Festival in Khorezm.
