Bhakti Chalak/Pune

Ganeshotsav, the festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Ganesha, will add to the normalcy of Kashmir this year. Although the public Ganeshotsav originated in Pune, Maharashtra, it is now celebrated in many parts of the country and abroad. This year Ganeshotsav is being organized in Kashmir in collaboration with seven Ganesha mandals of Pune.  

In a recent public event held in Pune, replicas of Ganesha idols from respected mandals in Pune were handed over to the mandals in Kashmir. On this occasion, the replica of Ganesha of Tambadi Jogeshwari Ganesha Mandal was handed over to Ganapatiyar Trust in Lal Chowk, Kashmir.

Meanwhile, the replica of Guruji Talim Ganesh Mandal was given to Ganesh Mandal in Kupwara.

A replica of the Tulshibagh Ganesh Mandal was handed over to the Ganesh Mandal at Anantnag. Mohit Bhan, Sandeep Raina, Sandeep Kaul, and Nitin Raina, the office bearers of Ganesha mandals in Kashmir accepted these replicas of Pune's revered Ganesha. 

Speaking of the tradition of Ganeshotsav in Kashmir, Sandeep Raina, an office bearer of Ganesha Mandal of Anantnag said, “Last year, we installed Ganesha for one and a half days in Anantnag. But this year we are celebrating 5 days of Ganeshotsav. We have organized Mahapuja on the 11th immersion day. After that, at 4 o'clock we will have Ganesh Visarjan at the Sangam (confluence) of river Jhelum and Wishu nullah.”

Sandeep Raina taking possession of the Ganesh Idol

Raina says, “When you think of Kashmir, the image of tension and army comes before one's eyes. However many people are not aware of the social culture and religious unity of Kashmir beyond this. Despite the tense situation, the brotherhood in Kashmir is still intact. We Hindus and Muslims come together and celebrate all the festivals.

“The Muslime are more in numbers in Kashmir. None of our work is complete without their support. The tradition of Hindu-Muslim harmony that existed in Kashmir long ago and the culture it preserves remains intact even today.”

Ganapati is the God who removes obstacles and gives happiness and peace. Therefore, Sandeep Raina finally expressed the feeling that the arrival of Ganesha in Kashmir will bring joy and create awareness. 

To maintain peace and harmony in Kashmir, the seven Ganpati Mandals of Pune have come together and decided to celebrate Ganeshotsav there for the second year.

This year, Ganeshotsav will be celebrated in three places in Kashmir. For this purpose, Ganesh idols of respected Ganesha mandals in Pune were ritually worshiped and handed over to the workers of the Kashmiri Mandal. 

Sandeep rainas speaking to media in Pune

Punit Balan, festival head of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati Trust, says about this activity, “Workers of the mandals in Kashmir proposed to us to celebrate this festival at three places in Kashmir this year. We are happy that this festival which preserves the cultural tradition of Pune is now being celebrated in Kashmir. This is the prayer of Bappa Chari that this Ganeshotsav will bring peace to Kashmir, the paradise of India.”

Ganesh Festival has been celebrated for more than 40 years at the Panchmukhi Maruti Temple in Lal Chowk, Kashmir. Maharashtrian families living in Jammu and Kashmir started this tradition.

Kashmiri Muslims, Pandits, Sikhs, and Bengali congregations also participate in this festival. Last year, a one-and-a-half-day Ganeshotsav was celebrated here. This year, this festival will be celebrated in three places in Kashmir.