Emotional Farewell to Lord Ganesha at Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi Amid Beats of Drums and Cymbals

Grand conclusion of ten-day devotional celebrations

New Delhi, Sept. 2025 : The ten-day Ganeshotsav celebrations at Maharashtra Sadan concluded today in an atmosphere filled with devotion and cultural fervor. The farewell was marked by the resounding beats of Kolhapur’s Siddheshwar Zanj troupe’s traditional drums and cymbals, along with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.” On the day of immersion, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan performed the aarti of Lord Ganesha. A grand procession was taken out on Copernicus Marg to bid farewell to the deity.

This year, with Ganeshotsav being granted the status of a State Festival in Maharashtra, the enthusiasm among the Marathi community in Delhi was especially high. The celebrations showcased the essence of Marathi culture while also spreading a strong message of environmental awareness.

Successful Organization

Under the guidance of Resident Commissioner and Secretary R. Vimala, the Maharashtra Sadan Public Ganeshotsav Committee, chaired by Pramod Kolpate, successfully managed the festivities. The idol installation was performed on August 27 by MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde. Over ten days, devotees witnessed a rich blend of devotion, cultural programs, social initiatives, and environmental awareness.

Cultural Extravaganza

Maharashtra Sadan became a vibrant cultural hub during the festival. Programs included Kalarang by Dipali Kale, a Hindi songs recital by Debu Mukherjee, Santvani by Dr. Pt. Sanjay Garud, Marathi-Hindi dance performances, devotional music by Nitin Sarkate, and a soulful presentation by Nagpur’s Sur-Sangam duo Sachin and Surabhi Dhomne. Bhajans by Dhananjay Joshi also won hearts.

Thanks to MP Dhananjay Mahadik, the Siddheshwar Zanj troupe from Kolhapur performed traditional drum and cymbal routines, along with martial arts demonstrations like lathi-kathi and dandpatta, plus lezim dances, combined with an eco-friendly message. Their spirited performance, particularly by young boys and girls, left a strong impression. National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar felicitated the troupe’s artists.

Visit by Dignitaries

Several dignitaries visited Maharashtra Sadan for Ganesh darshan, including MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde, MP Dhananjay Mahadik, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, former Governor Ramesh Bais, Delhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma, Chief Electoral Officer S. Chokkalingam, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, Bulgarian Ambassador to India Nikolay Yankov with his delegation, and State Women’s Commission Member Secretary Nandini Awade. Resident commissioners of various states also attended, appreciating the display of Marathi culture.

Grand Immersion Procession

The immersion day procession, accompanied by the beats of Kolhapur’s Siddheshwar troupe and the rhythms of lezim and zanj, spread festive Marathi energy across Delhi’s streets. Eco-friendly demonstrations added a meaningful social message to the celebrations.

Self-Help Groups Exhibition

Adding color to the festival was a handicraft exhibition organized by self-help groups, conceptualized by Resident Commissioner R. Vimala. Groups from Nashik, Beed, and Palghar showcased khadi, batik, bandhani, Warli paintings, leather products, jewelry, and traditional foods. The live kitchen featuring Konkani ukadiche modak and batata vada by Sujata Jadhav and Dhanashree drew special attention. Products by Amritvala Women’s Group, Savitribai Phule Group, Viraj Khadi, Warli Art Collective, Ranjana Jadhav, Yasmin Sheikh, and Jayprakash C. Hanwante received overwhelming response from Delhi residents, providing national exposure to local artisans.

Social Initiatives

As part of the celebrations, free health camps were organized on September 3–4 with the support of Vanarai Foundation and Maharaja Agrasen Hospital Charitable Trust. Services included blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac, and eye check-ups, benefitting many.

Gratitude and Conclusion

Resident Commissioner R. Vimala thanked everyone for the successful festival, especially Additional Resident Commissioner Niva Jain, Assistant Resident Commissioner Smita Shelar, Deputy Director of Maharashtra Information Centre Manisha Pingale, Information Officer Anju Nimsarkar, and the Maharashtra Security Force for their contributions. She expressed hope that next year’s festival will be celebrated with the same enthusiasm and strong social message.