The renowned Shri Dakshinamurti Swayamsevak Ganeshotsav Mandal, Mahal, established in 1920, is set to celebrate its historic 107th year of festivities. This year, the Mandal is set to captivate devotees with an architectural recreation of Pune’s revered Alandi Temple. The pandal has been designed to mark the 750th birth anniversary year of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. It brings forward the spiritual essence of his Sanjeevan Samadhi to the city to foster awareness about the sant’s timeless teachings.

 

The mandal upholds a century-old tradition of devotion without compromising the visual sanctity. The centerpiece will be a magnificent 14-foot-tall Ganesha idol, measuring 18 feet from its base pedestal. Prathamesh Rao, Mandal President, informed, “The idea is to spread Dnyaneshwar Maharaj’s work among people so that more and more people gain knowledge.

 

However, every year we try to replicate unique temples so that people get to know more about the place and the rich culture.” Sculptor Nilesh Ingle, who has crafted the mandal’s deity for over a decade at his Chitar Oli workshop, has preserved the traditional, unembellished posture passed down through generations. Continuing its tradition of recreating prominent pilgrimage sites, and having modeled Brihadeeswara Temple of Thanjavur last year, the mandal expects over 2,000 visitors daily, with weekend footfall rising to nearly 4,000 devotees. On Rishi Panchami, the pandal will host a ‘Ganesh Yaag’ followed by a Mahaprasad. Prathamesh Rao, along with Treasurer Neeraj Paunikar, and Secretary Sumit Kawle, and over 100 volunteers are actively preparing the setup and enthusiastically waiting for the arrival of Ganpati Bappa.