Pune’s Festivals

Pune is the Cultural Capital of Maharashta. It has aGanesha Mahotsav are synonymous. They are one
great calendar arrangement for all its festivals thatand the same.
are present in the place. The most common festivalAnother festival in Pune is the Sawai Gandharva. This
is the Pune festival or the Ganesha Mahotsavwas built to give patronage to the whole world. This
The Pune festival is celebrated from August tois a festival made famous because of the maestros
September during the Ganesh Mahotsav. It isof Indian Classical Music. It marks the death
Pune’s biggest festival and it lasts for ten days.anniversaries of Shri Sawai Gandharva. This Shri
It begins with the installation of idols and ends on theSawai Gandharva is a classical musician and Guru of
immersion of the Lord Ganesha. The installation ofPandit Bhimsen Joshi. It started in 1953 and has a
idols refers to the elephant headed Lord namedgrowing patronage every year.
Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is a most loved deity of theThis festival starts at night and ends at daybreak.
Hindus. He is being worshipped for the whole tenThe whole event lasts for three days. The weather
days. This is called the Ganapati Pooja or the Ganeshwas never a problem. The festivities go on come rain
Mahotsav.or sunshine. Visitors who troop to the venue are
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporationequipped with blankets in case it becomes necessary.
or MTDC organizes the whole festive occasion. ItThere are even stalls that sell hot coffee and tea to
also organizes events like a Film and drama festival,give warmth on a cold night. There are many books
classical dance and music recitals, and automobilebeing sold around during this time. It is also a good
rallies.time for music lovers to converge as the festivities is
There are also other sports being organized alongsidealways upbeat with loud music.
the festivities. It is the chance to see famousOsho is another festival of Pune that celebrates life.
maestros and stalwarts give their best performances.It is held to commemorate the death anniversary and
The participants of the festival are increasing everythe birth date celebrations of Osho. During the
year because there are many politicians, celebritiesfestival, there are AIDS tests being held to serve the
and even film stars that patronize it. These famouscommunity. You would not want to miss the jamming
personalities never fail to draw a crowd to big eventssessions here. You can catch the festival from
like this.November to January.
The Ganesha Mahotsav is always done with greatThe Chaturshringi is held every year on the Navatri
show and pomp. It is a sure manifestation of thefestival. This is at the foothill of Chaturshringhi
great number of Mandals being set up here. There isTemple. This starts as dusk until dawn. There are lots
blaring music that enlivens the enthusiastic supporters.of entertainments held during this occasion. This
On the final day, the processionin immersing the Lordfestival is more popular to the college students of
Ganesha has chanting music of “Ganapati Bappathe Pune but many tourists also patronize the event.
Morya..Pudhchya Varshi Laukar Yaa.”Expect heavy traffic during this time.
The festival’s roots are being traced back to theFor more information on Pune Healthcare and Pune
pre-independence time where the whole celebrationEntertainmentplease visit our website.
started. For the tourists, the Pune festival and the