Pune, 5th August 2025: With Ganeshotsav fast approaching, Ganesh mandals across Pune have urged the city police to grant them permission to begin their immersion processions via different routes before the prestigious Ganpati mandals (maanache Ganpati) commence their traditional procession on Tilak Road. The mandals say this will help ease congestion and allow timely completion of all processions.
In a meeting held at the Pune Police Commissionerate, several mandals, excluding the five honourable ones, requested the authorities to allow earlier movement. They also demanded that the Belbag Chowk to Nana Peth stretch be reopened for processions during the festival.
Another key demand was regarding the number of dhol-tasha troupes per mandal. The groups suggested a “one mandal, one dhol troupe” formula to avoid crowding and delays. “To ensure equal justice for all, either let us begin first or start your procession on time and we will follow. We’ve shown respect all these years, now it’s time to consider our requests,” said members of multiple mandals.
There is growing discontent among mandals over the delayed timings caused by the prestigious Ganpati processions, often stretching till the afternoon. This, they argue, creates pressure on other mandals and leads to mismanagement later in the day.
The five maanache Ganpatis are expected to begin their immersion from 8 AM via Tilak Road. Meanwhile, some mandals from Laxmi Road have expressed a desire to begin their processions from as early as 7 AM, to maintain order and avoid a late-night rush.
Shrikant Shete, President of Kasba Ganpati Mandal, clarified the overall stance, stating: "All Ganpatis are important. The order is only a matter of tradition and system. No final discussion on immersion timings has taken place yet. If any mandal feels sidelined, we are ready to sit together and find a solution. There’s no discrimination from our side or the administration."
He added that a consensus will be reached on the number of dhol-tasha groups and the procession timing, and this will be conveyed to the authorities once all mandals meet.
The police and mandals are expected to hold a joint meeting soon. Both sides have expressed confidence that Ganeshotsav in Pune will take place peacefully without any disputes.
