Srinagar, Sep 20: This year, seven renowned Ganesha Mandals from Pune held public Ganeshotsav festivities in Kashmir. They organised an idol donation ceremony for the Ganpatyar Temple, Habba Kadal in Kashmir to commemorate Ganesh Utsav. This was an eco-friendly Ganesh Utsav that culminated with Ganapati’s visarjan in the Jhelum River on September 19th.
This noble endeavour was initiated by seven Mandals, including Kasba Ganpati Mandal, Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganpati Mandal, Guruji Talim Ganpati Mandal, Tulshi Baug Ganpati Mandal, Kesariwada Ganpati Mandal, Shrimant Bhau Saheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, and Akhil Mandai Mandal. They all came together to donate the idol to Kashmir. This festival was celebrated in Kashmir to bring people together and promote harmony.
The President of Pune’s Kasba Ganpati Mandal Shrikant Shete stated, “Kashmir is heaven on Earth, and Bappa’s blessings are here to further enhance happiness and prosperity. This idol was given to us as a gift from Bappa, and we are giving it to contribute to a more advanced, prosperous, peaceful, and happy Kashmir.” The chairman of the Akhil Mandai Mandal Anna Thorat said “We believe Ganesh Utsav should be celebrated in Kashmir just as it is in Pune. This is the first step towards that goal.”
The Festival Chief of the Bhausaheb Rangari Trust, Punit Balan, while speaking about the initiative, said, “In India, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari and Lokmanya Tilak of Pune founded Ganeshotsav. It is now observed in other countries as well. So, why isn’t it celebrated in Kashmir, which is a part of our own country? That is why all of the known Mandals decided to celebrate Ganeshotsav in Kashmir. We believe that Ganeshotsav in Kashmir will not only contribute to social harmony but also happiness and prosperity.”
