WATCH: 35,000 Women Chant 'Atharvashirsha' at Pune's Ganapati Pandal, Creating World Record

Pune: Over 35,000 women chanted 'Atharvashirsha,' a Sanskrit text dedicated to Lord Ganesh, at the famous Shrimant Dagdusheth Ganapati pandal in Maharashtra 's Pune city on Sunday morning during the ongoing 10-day Ganesh festival. The atmosphere was electric with spiritual fervor as women, adorned in traditional attire, began arriving at the venue as early as 1 AM.

The event, held as part of the 132nd year of Ganesh Utsav and the occasion of Rishipanchami, saw peak participation from women across Maharashtra , including Pune, Mumbai, Latur, Kolhapur, and Nashik, creating a world record.

Lord Ganesh is worshipped as the deity of knowledge, wisdom, and good fortune. Every year, thousands of women chant the Sanskrit text on the second day of the Ganesh festival.

The Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust, a charitable organization based in Pune, reported that this was the 39th year of the annual recital of 'Atharvashirsha' at their Ganesh festival celebrations. The grand ceremony commenced with the vibrant sound of conch shells and the soothing chant of Omkar japa, followed by the recitation of Atharvashirsha, believed to bring mental peace.

As the women united to raise their hands and clap, the air was filled with the reverberating chants of "Om Namaste Ganapataye" and "Morya, Morya," further enriching the sacred ambiance.
 

The event was attended by notable dignitaries such as Vrishali Srikant Shinde, Trust Treasurer Mahesh Suryavanshi, Suvarnayug Tarun Mandal President Prakash Chavan, and activists like Shubhangi Bhalerao and Prof. Gauri Kulkarni. India Star World Record recognized the event, and Deepak Harke awarded a certificate to the trust to highlight their achievement.

Dr. Aruna Dhere, a renowned literary figure, delivered a powerful message during the ceremony, stating, “True power lies in wisdom. Behind every action, there is a mind, a thought. We must always act wisely,” she remarked, urging women to unleash their inner strength.

On Saturday, people in Pune welcomed Ganpati Bappa with a 'pratishthapana puja' across households and mandals. The elephant-headed god was also welcomed with devotion and traditional fervor at the city’s famous five Manache Ganpati mandals: Kasba Ganpati mandal, Sri Tambadi Jogeshwari Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal, Guruji Talim mandal, Tulshibaug Ganpati mandal, and Kesariwada Ganeshotsav mandal.

The public celebration of the festival in the state dates back to the 1890s when freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak and others decided to use it to mobilize the masses.

(Inputs from agencies)