Ganesh Chaturthi, the inaugural day of ten-day Ganesh festival, unfolded with unmatched zeal as the city ushered in devotion, colours and music. Since dawn, families, community groups and Ganesh Mandals brought home beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha amid chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya reverberating the neighbourhoods. Streets turned into festive corridors as dhol-tasha pathak, with DJ music systems, decorative lighting and bursting of firecrackers added to the grandeur. A steady drizzle throughout the day seemed to enhance rather than dampen the atmosphere. Devotees danced joyfully in the rain, turning the showers into part of the celebrations. The aroma of moist earth, coupled with fresh flowers and incense, created a uniquely uplifting ambiance.

 

Market areas such as Chitar-Oli, Mahal, Khamla, Sitabuldi etc. remained packed, with crowds buying puja items, sweets and decorations, showcasing the community’s eagerness to welcome the beloved deity. The city’s roads, however, bore the brunt of the massive influx of vehicles and festive processions. Major junctions, including Sitabuldi, Dharampeth, Central Avenue, Tukadoji Putla Road, Sakkardara, and many other places witnessed heavy traffic congestion. With several roads partially closed for processions and pandal setups, commuters faced long delays. Many office-goers and students struggled to reach their destinations on time, raising concerns about traffic management during the ten-day festival. Despite these inconveniences, the spirit of celebration overshadowed frustrations. Citizens, young and old, thronged pandals to witness elaborate decorations, some themed on temples and national pride.

 

Social and cultural groups also began their programmes of bhajans, plays and community feasts, setting the stage for the days ahead. Chitar-Oli area which is a major market for idols in the city witnessed heavy crowd as citizens thronged on the first day to collect the idols for the next 10 days celebration. Whereas, mandals came to Chitar-Oli with full preparation which also caused traffic jams mainly on Central Avenue. Similarly, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is also gearing up to smooth conduct of Ganesh Visarjan which will start from Thursday. Staff from NMC were busy installing artificial tanks at different parts of the city for Visarjan. The civic body has also prepared three huge artificial tanks at Kachhi Visa, Gorewada and Police Line Takli areas for immersion of big idols. Along with this, NMC has set-up 419 artificial tanks in all 10 zones. Ganesh Chaturthi in the city is more than a religious festival, it is a cultural heartbeat that binds the city together. With the first day marked by rain-kissed enthusiasm and devotional fervour, Nagpurians are set for ten days of faith, music and festivity, welcoming the remover of obstacles with open hearts.