Outbreak changes 127- yr-old tradition of Dagdusheth Ganpati

“To avoid crowding in the temple as well, we are only allowing online darshan of the deity. No devotee will be allowed inside the temple” — Mahesh Suryawanshi, Trustee

The Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust in Pune has decided to install a Ganesh idol in its temple premises and not erect a pandal in Kotwal Chawdi due to the coronavirus outbreak, the move a first in the 127-year history of one of the country''s most famous Ganpati celebrations, said trustee Mahesh Suryawanshi on Monday.

Every year, the pandal of ''Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganpati'' sees massive crowds of devotees from across Pune and areas beyond.

"To avoid crowding in the temple as well, we are only allowing online darshan of the deity. No devotee will be allowed inside the temple," Suryawanshi added.

Last week, the city police and civic administration had announced that no decorations will be allowed during the festival this year, and also appealed to mandals to install the idols in the respective temples instead of putting up pandals, to avoid crowding of people during the pandemic.

Pune’s Ganeshotsav is extremely popular, with tourists from all over the world visiting the city every year for the festival. The decorations at the large pandals, installation and immersion processions, along with the cultural events, are major attractions during the 10-day period.

This year, devotees will not be allowed to enter the temple and they will have to take blessings from outside, he said, adding that offerings of flowers, fruits, sweets and coconuts will not be accepted this year, and there will be no `prasad’ for devotees.

Earlier, nearly 50 other prominent Ganesh mandals in the city had unanimously decided to install the idol in the temples rather than erect a pandal.

Last week, Joint Police Commissioner Ravindra Shisve had appealed to Ganesh mandals to install idols in temples, to avoid crowding in the middle of the pandemic.