Going on with my posts on the Ganesh Chaturthi, here is my next post on Manacha Paanch, the five most auspicious Ganapathi idols around the ancient city of Pune. The five Ganapathi's in the order of preference they proceed on the last day of ten day festival for immersion.
After our morning visit to Dagadusheth Halwai and Kasaba Ganapathi for the welcome procession on Ganesh Chaturthi, we wanted to visit Manacha Paanch the same evening, but whole of Shanivar peth was so crowded that we visited few of other pandals and planned to visit the Manacha Paanch some other day. Last Saturday after dinner we thought of driving to Shanivar Peth. We reached Shaniwar Wada by midnight, the main gates were still open for the crowd who walked around the fort visiting the Ganapathi Pandals. We sat there and clicked few pics of the so called haunted fort of Pune and walked towards Shivaji Road. Even at 12, the roads were filled with devotees, especially the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapathi. So here is the list of 5 Manacha,
Kasba Ganapathi
The first of the five Manacha is Kasba Ganapathi, the presiding deity(gramdevata) of Pune. Years back when the city of Pune revolved around Shaniwar wada fort and its markets, Kasba Ganapathi temple was the presiding deity, for the royal Peshwa family and the natives. Said to be commissioned by Jijabhai, Shivaji's mother, the temple is in Kasba peth. The pandal is a replica of the main Kasba temple itself which is an old wooden building with great wood works.
Tambdi Jogeshwari
While few say its the Kasba Ganapthi which is the Gramdevata, others believe the Goddess at the Tambdi Jogeshwari as the Gramdevi. Being the oldest temple in the vicinity, the idol is said to be swayanbhu(which has appeared on its own). Its said, looking the popularity of the temple and the visiting devotee count, Lokmanya Tilak initiated to install the Ganesh Pandal at the temple and gave it the second place in the Manacha Paanch. The idol resides in a beautiful silver mantap, on tortoise. Tambdi Jogeshwari is in Budhwar Peth
Guruji Tahim
The third of Manacha is Guruji Tahim which is very close to Tambdi Jogeshwar in Budhvar Peth. Started by two Hindu and Muslim families Bhiku Shinde and Ustaad Nalban, it signifies the unity between the two communities. The Guruju Tahim Ganapathi is Balaganapthi sitting on his vahan(vehicle) mouse.
Tulsibaug Ganapathi
Located in Tulsibaug market, the fourth Ganapathi is Tulsibaug Ganapathi. This is the biggest of all five and is beautifully adored with silver and gold ornaments. The decor is so rich and vibrant. The pandal is no big, but just covering the idol, hence you get a very close view.
Kesariwada Ganapathi
The last of the Manacha, is the Ganesha at Kesariwada, which relates to Lokmanya Tilak's Kesari Magazine and signifying the revolution of Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav. It had three idols this year, the main silver idol, the immersible idol and the third was the tree Ganesha(the one unpainted in the tub next to the silver idol). The tree Ganesha, eco friendly ganesha with seeds, which turns into plant, once dissolved. The temple has the idol of Lokmanya Tilak and the paintings on the walls depicting his life. Its the building which was the residence of Tilak and now houses Lokmanya Tilak Museum.
Though all the five idols are immersed every year and its the new idol which adores the pandal the next year, the features and the beauty of the idols remain the same and you can easily make out each of the them by their look.
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