Over 51 lakh fragrant mogra flowers transformed Pune’s Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple into a vibrant and serene spectacle during Tuesday’s annual Mogra Mahotsav. The soothing aroma of mogra, combined with lilies, marigolds, roses, and other blooms, created a calm and devotional atmosphere, leaving devotees mesmerised. Visitors flocked to the temple to take darshan, soak in the floral grandeur, and capture the celebration on their phones.
The Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust and Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal hosted the event as a segment of the Vasantik Utsav and Mogra Mahotsav festivities. During the programme, the aarti was conducted by saint-literature scholar Dr Aarti Datar, in the presence of trustees, office-bearers, and volunteers.
The temple’s sanctum and main hall were transformed into a riot of colors and fragrances, adorned with an array of flowers including mogra, lilies, marigolds, hibiscus, roses, and champa. Devotees poured in to soak in the serene, vibrant spectacle, many pausing to capture the stunning display on their phones. Trust president Sunil Rasane said artisans had been working for the last two days to finish the intricate floral decorations.
As part of the celebrations, the silver idol of Lord Ganesha was ceremonially anointed in the traditional ‘Uti’ ritual and adorned with intricate floral jewellery, a crown, and a trunk ornament.
The spiritual ambiance was further heightened by devotional bhajans performed by the Akhil Bharatiya Warkari Mandal, filling the temple with melody and devotion.