Pune: Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati arrival and immersion processions will not have pair of bullocks; Celebration Chief Punit Balan’s announcement

133-year-old tradition suspended; decision to stop harassment of animals

Pune: The pioneer of public Ganesh festival in Hindustan, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati’s arrival and immersion processions will, henceforth, not have a pair of bullocks, which pulls the chariot. Celebration Chief and Trustee Punit Balan announced this on Wednesday (August 7). “The 133-year-old tradition will be suspended to stop hardships caused to the domestic animals,” said Balan.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma performed the Vasapujan of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust Mandap. Speaking on the occasion, Punit Balan said, “The Varad Vighneshwar Wada replica will be built to celebrate Ganeshotsav this year. From this year onwards, we are suspending the tradition of using a pair of bullocks during the arrival and immersion processions of the Shri Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust.

“The immersion procession is delayed every year. This causes immense hardships to the animals. Therefore, the decision has been made. The arrival procession chariot will be pulled by devotees and mandal workers. A special chariot will be readied for the immersion procession.”

Joint CP Ranjan Kumar Sharma said, “We begin every important task by chanting Shri Ganesha’s name. Shri Ganesha is the deity of corers of Indians. The Ganesh Festival started by Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari is celebrated in other countries also. The festival is not restricted to any caste or religion. All people participate in it. Let us celebrate the festival with enthusiasm this year. The Pune Police is ready to extend all-possible help during the festival.”

DCP (Zone 1) Sandeep Singh Gill, Vishrambaug PS Sr PI Vijaymala Pawar, along with Tulshibaug Ganesh Mandal President Vikas Pawar, Treasurer Nitin Pandit, Vice-President Vinayak Kadam, Trust President Sanjiv Jawale, office-bearers and workers were present. Mililnd Kulkarni compered the function.

Then close the film industry…

Actor Shubhangi Gokhale has demanded that the public Ganesh Festival should be stopped due to irregularities. Commenting on this, Punit Balan said, “This is a stunt staged by Shubhangitai to promote her film. We invite her to Pune and let her see what religious, social and health programmes we conduct. I am myself a film producer. Obscenity, addiction are shown in films. Does that mean, the entire film industry should be closed?”