As the religious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is approaching in a week's time, devotees are enthusiastically preparing for the grand welcome. The enthusiasm is seen all over the country, the state of Maharashtra revers in the festivities. Pune being the birthplace where Lokmanya Tilak started this festival, the traditions are imbibed within each one here. Pune has a rich cultural history and it is seen best during Ganesh Chaturthi. Year after year, the organisations who arrange their own Ganpati festival only increase. But your visit to Pune will be incomplete if you do not take darshan of 5 Manache Ganpati, as the tradition holds. These 5 Ganpati pandals are most revered and people come from across the state to visit all 5 of them. Ganesh Chaturthi 2018 Date: Significance, History, Importance, Rituals & Why is the Festival of Ganpati Celebrated for 10 Days. 

The honour and respect for these 5 Ganpati idols are also observed during the immersion process on Anant Chaturdashi. There is an order in which these Ganpati idols follow each other during the procession. So if you are planning to go pandal-hopping in Maharashtra's cultural city, Pune, then you must visit these 5 Ganpati idols. Lord Ganesha and His 108 Names! From Vinayaka to Maheshaya, Chant These Names on Ganesh Chaturthi 2018!

5 Manache Ganpati of Pune That You Should Visit:

Shri Kasba Ganpati Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal:

 

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This organisation holds the first rank in the most honoured Ganpati idols, simply because it has so much history to it. This Ganpati pandal was established in the year 1893 when Lokmanya Tilak shaped the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the country as a social function. This celebration got together people across class barriers and helped in fostering a feeling of unity. Shri Kasba Ganpati leads the immersion process on Anant Chaturdashi. Other mandals can immerse their idols, only after Kasba Ganpati is immersed.

Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati:

The Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati is known as the 'Gramdevata of Pune,' (Protector of Pune). This honour was also given Lokmanya Tilak in the year 1893. Every year a new replica idol is made for the festival. The temple here has Durga as the primary deity and it is considered that Lord Ganpati has self-originated (swayambhu). This Ganpati idol's head resembles an African elephant and the idol is housed in a silver dome and sits on a palanquin, which too is made of silver.

Guruji Talim Ganpati:

 

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Established in the year 1887, the Guruji Talim Ganpati has the third honour in the city. This pandal gives a very important message of Hindu-Muslim unity as it was established by Hindu & Muslim families of Bhiku Shinde and Ustaad Nalban. Although the festivities began in 1887 it is said that these celebrations even preceded Tilak starting the festival in public. This pandal was also the first one to complete 100 years of celebration.

Tulshibaug Ganpati:

Tulshibaug Ganpati is the fourth respected Ganpati pandal in the city. It was established in the year 1901 at the Tulshi Baug Ram Mandir. The organisers make different sets around social causes and donate whatever money they collect to support these causes. While Mumbai sees a lot of Ganesh idols competing in their heights, the Tulsi Baug is the tallest one in Pune, at 15 feet. And the idol is covered in a lot of heavy ornaments.

Kesari Wada Ganpati:

Kesari Wada Ganpati is the 5th respected Ganpati in the city. Kesari Wada was the home of Lokmanya Tilak. The Ganpati celebration was started in the year 1894 in the ancestral home of Tilaks. The group organises various events like lectures and competitions to get people together. There are two idols here, one is permanent and one is immersed. There are a lot of cultural programs to still retain the traditions and feeling of togetherness.

Even during the immersion process, these Ganpati pandals follow the same sequence. These 5 Ganpati pandals hold a lot of honour and people have strong beliefs in these idols. So if you are planning to visit the cultural capital then you must pay your respects to these Manache Ganpati in Pune.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 07, 2018 11:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).