Nagpur: Chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, the beat of dhol-tashas and the fragrance of flowers marked the arrival of Bappa across Nagpur on Monday, as homes, housing societies and public mandals welcomed their favourite deity with Ganesh Pratishthapana, ushering in a vibrant Ganeshotsav.The festive mood was evident from the morning. At some of Nagpur’s oldest Ganesh temples, devotees began arriving in the early hours, with long queues forming at Tekdi Ganesh Mandir, Adasa Ganesh Temple, Siddhivinayak Ganesh Mandir in Mahal and Bhuryacha Ganpati in Mahal. Flowers, lights and festive decorations adorned the shrines as devotees waited for darshan on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.“Ganesh Chaturthi is considered especially auspicious for Bappa’s darshan, so many devotees first visit the temple, offer prayers and seek blessings before returning home for their own Ganesh sthapana or visiting mandals,” said priest Rajesh Joshi.The aroma of modaks filled neighbourhoods as families prepared festive delicacies to mark Ganesh Chaturthi. By evening, roads came alive with music and devotional songs as devotees brought Bappa to mandals in grand processions, while many families also welcomed the deity home amid festive celebrations. As night fell, aartis resonated from homes and pandals, temple queues swelled, and families stepped out for their first round of darshan.As the day progressed, the city’s mandals unveiled elaborate themes rooted in mythology, pilgrimage and devotion.At Jaripatka, an underwater Dwarka theme recreates the submerged kingdom associated with Lord Krishna. Dakshinamurti Ganeshotsav in Mahal has taken devotees to Alandi, drawing on the life and legacy of Sant Dnyaneshwar. Santi Ganeshotsav Mandal has recreated Badrinath, bringing the revered Himalayan pilgrimage destination closer to home.Pratap Nagarcha Mahaganpati has another attraction — Mahakal’s Gajraj. The elephant, known for blessing devotees, is being brought to Nagpur for the festivities. Elsewhere, the sights and sounds of Ganga Aarti are being recreated as part of the celebrations.Amid the Ganeshotsav celebrations, devotees have also started preparing for the Mahalaxmi festival, beginning on Sept 17, with demand for decorative Mahalakshmi faces, jewellery, flowers and other puja essentials on the rise. In many Vidarbha homes, Mahalaxmi is among the most elaborate family celebrations of Ganeshotsav, with the deities ceremonially welcomed, adorned and offered a traditional feast.
