Bhajans, Maha-Aarti, palkhi procession held
Pune: Singing of bhajans, Maha-Aarti and a grand palkhi procession were held at the India’s first public Ganesh festival mandal, the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, temple in the city on the occasion of Ganesh Jayanti on Tuesday.
Various religious ceremonies were also performed. As per the annual tradition, bhajans were sung at around 8 am. A Ganesh Yaag was held around 9 am. Later, at noon, Lt Gen DB Shekatkar performed the Maha-Aarti of the Ganesh idol of the mandal. There was big crowd of devotees assembled to have a glimpse (Darshan) of their favourite deity. Then bhajans were sung for a couple of hours.
A recital of traditional ‘Atharvashirsh’ was organised by BVI, Pune on the premises of the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati temple at 5 pm.
At 6 pm, the palkhi procession started with great fervor and enthusiasm. All trustees, office-bearers and workers were present in a large number. The procession concluded with the Maha-Aarti performed by His Holiness Mahant Mahesh Giri Bapu Maharaj of Girnar Shaktipeeth. Celebration Chief and Trustee Punit Balan was also present.
Meanwhile, many devotees from Pune and its surrounding areas flocked the temple to take ‘Darshan’ of the Bappa. At 9 pm, the Shankar Maharaj Bhajani Mandal conducted a bhajan prgrammes.