The
belief is that Ganpati visits us every year.
Ganpati is happily bid adieu by immersing
the idol in the sacred river.
The immersion procession soon became a matter of privilege for the mandals.
A dispute arose among the mandals regarding which of the mandals would
lead the immersion procession. Tilak resolved the dispute by granting
the privilege to Shri Kasba Ganpati as it was not only the local deity
but also the most ancient deity in Pune. To this day, Shri Kasba Ganpati
Mandal leads the immersion procession to the banks of river Mula with
great fanfare.
The
immersion procession of Shri Kasba Ganpati
is unique in many ways. Shri Kasba Ganpati
is the first Ganpati to be immersed in Pune
city. The Mayor along with the Commissioner
of Pune offer prayers to the idol of Lord
Ganpati after which the immersion process
of Lord Ganesh starts in the city and continues
for the whole day. It is customary to fill
the air with colored powder called ‘gulal’.
The mandal dissuades the use of gulal as
it is hazardous to health. The immersion
procession of Shri Kasba Ganpati also includes
different groups who show their talent and
skills.
All
the other mandals follow Shri Kasba Ganpati.
People from far and wide along with the volunteers
of Kasba Ganpati take an active part in the
immersion process. During the immersion process,
Lord Ganesh is placed in a Palkhi. The palkhi
is made up of silver and the devotees carry
it on their shoulders. During the entire
procession, the Palkhi halts at each square
to allow devotees to offer prayers and to
have a glimpse of Lord Ganesh. The mandals
perform traditional dances, mythological
plays, and play music, to appease the Lord.
The immersion procession concludes at the
banks of river Mula that is approximately
10 km from Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandir. At
the concluding point of the procession, the
Mayor of Pune, along with the Commissioner
of Pune welcome Shri Kasba Ganpati and address
the devotees present. The Mandal volunteers
along with the trustees celebrate this auspicious
moment by dancing amidst chants of ‘Ganpati
Bappa Morya. Phudchya Varshi Laukar Ya’ (requesting
the Lord to arrive early the next year) and
proceed towards the riverbank to complete
the immersion rituals.
The
belief is that Ganpati visits us every year.
Ganpati is happily bid adieu by immersing
the idol in the sacred river. 
The
immersion procession of Shri Kasba Ganpati
is unique in many ways. Shri Kasba Ganpati
is the first Ganpati to be immersed in Pune
city. The Mayor along with the Commissioner
of Pune offer prayers to the idol of Lord
Ganpati after which the immersion process
of Lord Ganesh starts in the city and continues
for the whole day. It is customary to fill
the air with colored powder called ‘gulal’.
The mandal dissuades the use of gulal as
it is hazardous to health. The immersion
procession of Shri Kasba Ganpati also includes
different groups who show their talent and
skills. 
All
the other mandals follow Shri Kasba Ganpati.
People from far and wide along with the volunteers
of Kasba Ganpati take an active part in the
immersion process. During the immersion process,
Lord Ganesh is placed in a Palkhi. The palkhi
is made up of silver and the devotees carry
it on their shoulders. During the entire
procession, the Palkhi halts at each square
to allow devotees to offer prayers and to
have a glimpse of Lord Ganesh. The mandals
perform traditional dances, mythological
plays, and play music, to appease the Lord.
The immersion procession concludes at the
banks of river Mula that is approximately
10 km from Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandir. At
the concluding point of the procession, the
Mayor of Pune, along with the Commissioner
of Pune welcome Shri Kasba Ganpati and address
the devotees present. The Mandal volunteers
along with the trustees celebrate this auspicious
moment by dancing amidst chants of ‘Ganpati
Bappa Morya. Phudchya Varshi Laukar Ya’ (requesting
the Lord to arrive early the next year) and
proceed towards the riverbank to complete
the immersion rituals. 
