Pune

The recent Ganeshotsav festival brought instances of religious unity among the people of India to the fore as the festival was celebrated with traditional pomp and show across Maharashtra.

One initiative demonstrating the unity of the people is perpetuated by the residents of Kothrod village in Pune. This tradition of the Samast Gaukari Mandal of Kothrud started in 1944 when locals established the 'Samsat Gaukari Mandal'.

This year marks the 81st year of the Mandal. Every year, one day is fixed for Muslims to lead the Aarti prayer for Ganapati.

Samast Gaukari Mandal has a special history. The venue of the present-day FTII in Pune was earlier the studio of the great film director V Shantaram. He used to get all the equipment required for shooting from the people of Kothrud village.

Due to this, he developed a close relationship with the people of the village. They expressed their desire to V. Shantaram to establish a Ganpati Mandal. At that time, V Shantaram made a wooden idol of Ganapati in his studio and gave it to the villagers. Thus Kothrud got the village Ganapati.

This sculpture can still be seen in the 'Samast Gawkari Mandal'. Thus the Mandal has followed the tradition of Hindu-Muslim harmony. The Mandal aims to convey the message of equality and unity of all religions to society.

Yusufbhai who performed Aarti on Ganeshotsav

The mandal president Rohan Mendre says that this Ganpati mandal was established by the villagers of Kothrud. All residents of Kothrud, including Muslims, are members of this group. They also actively participate in Mandal programs.

"We celebrate the festivals of both the communities with equal enthusiasm. We will always continue this tradition of Mandal, in which Muslim brothers perform Aarti. This will further strengthen the bond of Hindu-Muslim unity in the society."

Muslim youth from ordinary families bring Prasad to participate in Ganpati Aarti. After the Aarti, the prasad is distributed to all the Ganesha devotees.

Feroze Syed, a resident here, says that people from all communities live together in this area. "We at Kothrod celebrate every festival with love and unity; we are proud of it."

Apart from Ganeshotsav, other festivals are celebrated by Mandal with great joy and enthusiasm. Resident Imtiaz Qazi says, "Kothrud is a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. Both the communities come together and celebrate festivals like Ganeshotsav and Eid with great enthusiasm. A sense of unity is further fostered here through social activities. We visit each other's houses and celebrate festivals like one family."

Pune Ganeshotsav is not only related to religious ideas. People of different castes, religions, and societies come together through this festival. Ganpati Mandals come together with a commitment to serve society. The entire singing troupe of Kothrud is also at the forefront of social service. Programs like supporting orphan and blind schools, providing free oxygen machines to the needy, providing necessary relief during natural calamities, and village deities Mahtoba Utsav and Kirtan are organized by the Mandal.

Yusuf Bhai, a resident of Kothrud, will perform the Aarti in 2023. After accepting the honor. This year during the Ganpati Aarti performed by the Muslim, Yusuf Bhai got the honor of performing this Aarti.

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Imtiaz Qazi, Feroze Syed, Sameer Syed, Jameel Syed, Musa Syed, Javed Syed, Mowan Qazi. , Hanumant Patil, Shivaji Gadhave, Molly Mukate, and villagers were present when this reporter spoke with the locals duering the Ganeshotsav.