Pune’s historic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal witnessed a stream of prominent visitors on Saturday, with Southern Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, badminton star Saina Nehwal and NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar visiting the pandal and offering prayers.
The visits brought together personalities from the armed forces, sport and politics as Ganeshotsav celebrations continued across Pune, with large crowds of devotees turning up for darshan.
Lt Gen Pushkar described his visit as a memorable experience, saying he felt “wonderful and blessed” to witness Pune’s traditional Ganeshotsav. He said festivals are celebrated differently across the country and experiencing the celebrations in Pune offered a distinct perspective on the city’s
festive tradition.
For Nehwal, the visit was also a trip down memory lane. Pune has played an important role in her sporting career, and she recalled her association with the city, including memories of becoming World Champion and winning the Commonwealth Games. Nehwal also used the occasion to speak about India’s sporting ambitions and the need to create a stronger ecosystem for young athletes.
“The youth are the future of the country,” she said, calling for greater support from parents, better opportunities and stronger sports infrastructure. She also expressed hope that India would continue building its sporting capabilities and work towards hosting the Olympics.
Rohit Pawar’s visit came with a political message. Speaking after offering prayers, he said he missed Ajit Pawar during this year’s Ganeshotsav and hoped he would get justice soon. Pawar also said he prayed for farmers facing drought-like conditions and for MPSC aspirants.
The visits took place amid heavy footfall at the historic mandal, with devotees arriving throughout the day. Families, youngsters and senior citizens were seen making their way to the pandal as the city’s Ganeshotsav celebrations gathered pace.
Punit Balan, Festival Head of the mandal, said several celebrities and VVIPs had been visiting the pandal during the festival. He said arrangements had been put in place to handle the crowds and ensure devotees could have a smoother darshan.
The celebrity visits have added to the attention around the mandal, but the larger picture remains the daily movement of devotees who continue to queue up for Bappa’s darshan.
The visitors from public life add another layer to the celebrations, but the rhythm of the pandal is set by the devotees, the crowds, the queues and the quiet prayers that continue long after the cameras move on.
