Ganesh immersions begin with fervour and gaiety

Pune, Sep 25: Amid chants of ''Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukar Ya'', dhols, tashas, lezim and dance, the Ganesh idol immersion procession began in the city after Mayor Rajlakshmi Bhosale and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar offered prayers at the Kasba Ganapati.

Kasba Ganpati, the first of the five ''Manache Ganapati'' (honoured), is considered to be the 'Gram Daivata' (presiding deity of the village) and the first idol to be immersed, followed by the three others -- Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim and Tulsibaug. While Kesari Wada Ganpati started by Lokmanya Tilak during the freedom struggle, who also made the festivities a social event, is the fifth in the order of honour (manache).

The procession began from Mahatma Phule Chowk, Mandai before noon.

Colourful rangolis adorn the streets as well as banners. The atmosphere is charged with enthusiasm and music being played out loud. School children are working as cheer leaders for several mandals and devotees dressed in colourful head gears are dancing in front of the Ganapati idols, as the idols are being taken for immersion after the annual ten-day sojourn of the lord.

The immersion processions are expected to conclude tomorrow.

UNI