Pune – a small city strategically situated between the banks of the rivers Mula and Mutha

Pune has an impressive history. The beautiful landscape was adorned with temples, built at various points in time. However, by 1621, many temples were destroyed in the battles that ensued in the mountainous terrain.

Under such circumstances it is indeed miraculous that the idol of Lord Ganesh was retrieved at Kasba Peth years later. Lord Ganesh is the lord of knowledge and the destroyer of evil. Hence he is worshipped on every auspicious occasion.

In the year 1630 A.D. The Royal Queen Jijabai Bhosale arrived in Pune with her son Shivaji. Shivaji was disturbed by the pathetic plight of the mavals, at a very young age. At the tender age of 12, he vowed to liberate the mavals from the mughal powers. Around this time, an idol of Lord Ganesh was found near the house of Vinayak Thakar, close to the residence of Jijabai. Jijabai perceived this as an auspicious moment and promptly decided to build a temple, which is popularly known as the Kasba Ganpati Mandir.

Since then, Pune is also known as the city of Ganesh. The Peshwas were ardent followers of Lord Ganesh. During their regime Shaniwarwada has witnessed grand celebrations for Lord Ganesh.

In 1893, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter and Cub of India, initiated the now famous Ganesh Festival. His intention was to gather people sharing similar ideas and exchange thoughts to deal with the British ruler. He started celebrating Ganesh Festival from his own house Kesari Wada. Due to his influencing personality and initiative, everyone started celebrating this festival and thus it became a public festival in 1893.

There was rivalry among the various mandals regarding the privilege of immersing the idol on the last day of the Ganpati festival. Bal Gangadhar Tilak resolved the rivalry and declared the privilege of immersion to Shri Kasba Ganpati, as it is the local deity of Pune.

Till 1925, Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandal celebrated the festival within the premises of the temple and from 1926 it is celebrated in an enclosed mandap. Presently, the ten days of the festival is a platform to display ones talents through various cultural programs thus allowing a large number of devotees to participate in the celebrations. On the last day, Shri Kasba Ganpati plays the leading role during the immersion procession. For more information on Immersion Procession, click here.