Pune: Amidst the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha and a colorful cloud of gulal, devotees in Lonavala bid a heartfelt farewell to their beloved Lord Ganesha, marking the end of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations with an energetic Visarjan procession that spanned over ten hours.
The vibrant procession, which started in the afternoon, concluded by 2 a.m. the next morning, with thousands of devotees taking part in the festivities.
The Raaywood Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal’s revered Ganesha, the first to embark on its immersion journey, left the pavilion at 3:30 p.m., reaching Mavala Statue Chowk at 6 p.m., where Assistant Police Superintendent Satyasai Karthik and Police Inspector Suhas Jagtap commenced the procession by offering garlands and coconuts to the Mavala statue.
Following Raaywood’s lead, other prominent Ganesh mandals joined the immersion procession, including Tarun Maratha Mitra Mandal from Gavthan, Shri Sant Rohidas Mandal, Gawliwada Public Ganeshotsav Mandal, and Shetkari Bhajani Mandal, making their way through the rain-soaked streets of Lonavala.
Despite a heavy downpour, the enthusiasm of the devotees and dhol-tasha performers remained undeterred, adding a unique charm to the festive atmosphere.
The Ganesh idols from the top five revered mandals were immersed by midnight, with the final immersion of other idols concluding by 2 a.m. Many mandals chose to immerse their idols in artificial tanks set up by the Lonavala Municipal Corporation at key locations such as HUDCO, Lonavala Lake, Valvan Lake, and Tungarli. Several smaller mandals held independent processions, contributing to the overall grandeur of the celebration.
Despite the festive spirit, the procession faced delays due to inadequate coordination, causing gaps between mandals. Some dhol-tasha groups, unable to perform due to time constraints, expressed their disappointment.
However, the vibrant decorations and symbolic depictions, such as the replica of Lalbaugcha Raja by Jay Maharashtra Gajanan Mitra Mandal and Sant Tukaram by Tufan Mandal, drew widespread attention.