Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav Celebrates its 125 years...

For this year's Ganesh Chaturthi we have story from Pune, the place where Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav(public celebration) originated. Its said Ganesh chaturthi had been celebrated publicly since the era of Shivaji in Pune, but during British rule, fearing public assemblies after the first war of Indian Independence, British had imposed rule against public gathering of more than 20 people for social or political purposes, but had exempted muslims from Friday mosque prayers. In 1892 Bhausaheb Laxman Javale installed the first Sarvajanik Ganesh in Pune. And in 1893, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak praised the celebration in his newspaper Kesari and chose to use the public gathering at the Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav under religious exemption for the fight against British rule.

Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapathi procession from Temple to Pandal.

Its 125th year of Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav this year and we were at the Shivaji Road on the early morning of Ganesh Chaturthi capturing the celebration, the grand welcome of Ganesha on his day. The roads were full, with the dhol groups presenting their rhythmic dhol, devotees, media everyone enjoying the celebration in rains.

Ladies Dhol at the procession

Watching the Ganesha procession was altogether a different view than watching in the pandals. The procession, the stapana(first worship in pandal), the devotion and ethnicity had so much positive vibe. I was comparing everything with the way Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Mumbai, there is so much of ethnicity, faith and devotion here in Pune, while I always felt the celebration in Mumbai is more of colours, magnificence, dancing and publicity, sorry if that hurts any Mumbaikars ;)

Flowers been showered on Kasaba Ganapathi in Palki

While Dagadusheth Ganapathi proceeded in beautiful floral chariot, the Kasaba Ganapathi proceeded in palki(a carriage with two handles, carried by two or more people on their shoulders) with flowers been showered. I was told the Dagadusheth Halwai temple has two Ganesha idols, the main idol which is of silver and the uthsav murthi(procession idol), which is not immersed like in Mumbai, but its the same idol which is got to the pandal every year during Ganesh Chaturthi and kept back in the temple during rest of the year.

Another Ganesha procession which we came across on Shivaji Road.

Ganesha Pandals and celebration are everywhere around the city and more posts coming up on Ganesh in following posts.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!! 

10 Must - See Safari Parks in Kenya!!!

Which traveller doesn't like wildlife or photographing them. Here is a guide to wildlife destinations in Kenya by D K Grand Safari, Kenya. Over to D K Safaris,

If there’s one thing Kenya is known for in the tourism realm, it’s the stunning views of wildlife. And Kenya is chockfull of beautiful parks to take a guided safari. So below are some of the top must-see safari parks in Kenya. 

Lake Nakuru National Park

This park is deemed “the bird watchers’ paradise.” The park is known for its sights with hoards for flamingos in the background, and the park has about 450 species of bird. It sits on the floor of the Great Rift Valley, and the landscape is defined by wooded and bushy grasslands. 

Maasai Mara National Reserve 

This park is famous for its wide range of biodiversity. The park is also known for its wildebeest migration, which can be seen from July to October. The park includes 95 species of mammals and over 570 species of bird.  

Image Courtesy: D K Grand Safari

Samburu National Reserve

This famous park is also great for wildlife viewing, making it one of the top must-see safari parks in Kenya. It boasts zebra, ostrich, giraffe and oryx, to name a few. There is also a minimum of 900 elephants. And of course, there are lions and leopards. The famous “Kamunyak the Miracle Lioness” that adopted a baby oryx lives in the reserve.

Aberdare National Park

This park is defined by its steep, forested ravines and open moorland. This park is home to elephants, black rhinos, hyenas, leopards, baboons, colobus monkeys and warthogs, to name a few animals. The park also allows picnics and trout fishing. 

Image Courtesy: D K Grand Safari

Tsavo West National Park

This park is dubbed the “land of lava, springs and man-eaters.” This park boats the Mzima Springs, where you can see 50 million gallons of clear water flowing out from under lava rock. It’s also home to the Shetani lava flows. You’ll get plenty of biodiversity here, as the landscape is grasslands, scrublands and Acacia Woodlands. 

Amboseli National Park

This is one of the must-see safari parks in Kenya if you want to get a close sight of herds of free-ranging elephants. They call the park “the land of the giants.” If you love local cultures, you can also meet Maasai people here. There’s also a stunning view of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Image Courtesy: D K Grand Safari

    

Hell’s Gate

One of the must-see safari parks in Kenya is Hell’s Gate. The geothermal activity sends plumes of steam skyward. The park boasts cliffs, gorges, rock towers, volcanoes and a natural spa.   

Meru National Park

When you think of lush African jungle, you might as well be picturing Meru National Park. This park features jungle, rivers, swamp, grasslands and termite cathedrals. It’s the place to go if you want tons of biodiversity. The park also contains animals like zebras, elephants, pythons, cobras and buffalos. 

Nairobi National Park

If you want to keep a little closer to civilization where the termite and snake population isn’t quite as pervasive, you’ll want to check out Nairobi National Park. Wildlife like giraffe roam across grasslands with cityscapes in the background. 

Image Courtesy: D K Grand Safari

Kora National Park

This is actually a sister park to Meru National Park. This park features rock climbing, as well as fishing in the Tana River. Historic huts dot the park, and the river includes gushing rapids.  

Have you visited any of these or planning to visit one, do share your thoughts in the comment box.

PS: All images used are credited to D K Grand Safari page..