Top Ganesh Pandals of Pune in 2018-Top Fifty.

Must Visit top 50 Ganesh Mandals(First ten are of historical importance) -

1) Kasba Ganpati - Pune's most revered (Manache) Ganpati.This Ganpati has the right to lead the immersion Procession. This is right bang in front of Shaniwarwada.
This ganpati is also known as “Gram Daivat” (Village deity) of Pune.The temple is some 400 years old and as per tale built on the orders of Shivaji's mother Jijabai.


2) Tambdi Jogeshwari - The Village goddess of Pune and the second most revered Ganpati of the city.The pandal is situated at Appa Balwant Chowk.It goes second for immersion in
palanquin after Kasba Ganpati with Pune's most famous Dhol-Tasha Band "Taal" and "Shiv-Mudra" leading the Procession.This Ganpati's ears resembles with an African elephant.


3) Guruji Talim - Guruji Talim is the 3rd most revered ganpati of Pune and also known as Pune cha Raja.This Mandal is known for their grand immersion and installation Procession
 with top dhol bands playing for it.Singham fame band Shivgarjana and Naad - Brahma used to perform with this Ganpati.This time mandal has designed a Raj-Mahal that is illuminated
 with seven type of lights.The Pandal is situated at Ganpati chowk, Laxmi Road.This is the symbol of Unity of Hindus and Muslims.


4) Tulsibag Mahaganpati- Pune's 4th most revered Ganpati,Tulsibag. This one is the largest among five at about 15 feet and most ornamental.Pandal is located at Pune's famous ladies
market Tulsibag.This is the first mandal to make a fiber glass idol of Ganpati.


5) Kesariwada -Pune's 5th most revered Ganpati.It was established by Lokmanya Tilak at vinchukarwada but currently located at Kesariwada on Kelkar Road.It goes at no.5 in immersion
 procession.The Mandal as a tradition does not display decoration but emphasizes on organization of cultural events and educational Program's.

6) Jilbya Maruti - The Night's first most revered Ganpati.It is famous for its ornate chariot theme and lighting. It is a real treat to watch the immersion procession of this Ganpati
 in the night from Laxmi Road. The procession enters the Laxmi Road at midnight 12.The Pandal is situated on Mandai-Shanipar Road.


7) Babu Genu Mandal - Pune's most revered Ganpati No.2 for Night,Babu Genu Mandal. This will go 4th last for immersion Procession and known for its mega chariots and dhol tasha troupe
"Taal" which leads it's Procession. The Pandal is situated just behind Dagduseth near Mahatma Phule Mandai.This Ganpati is also known as “Navsacha Ganpati” means it fulfils all the wishes
 of their devotees.This mandal attracts second most crowd after Dagduseth.This time they have created a Bhakti Mandir with an idol of Lord Vitthal atop it.


8) Bhausaheb Rangari Mandal - Pune's 3rd most revered ganpati of night,Bhau Rangari.This mandal is said to be India's first Public ganpati Mandal.The Mandal claimed that the Public Ganesha
 Festival was  started by Bhau Rangari only and Lokmanya Tilak Popularized it.This Ganpati will go for immersion 3rd last on its traditional wooden chariot and with largest number of Dhol
 Tasha Troupes leading it. Last year 14 troupes were ready to play in the immersion Procession for free but police has allowed only 6. The Pandal is located at Bhau rangari lane near to
dagduseth temple.Do not forget to visit the nearby Bhau rangari wada.


9) Akhil Mandai Mandal - Pune's 4th most revered Ganpati for Night.It goes for immersion second last in the night with larger than life chariot.The Pandal is situated at Mahatma Phule
whole sale market most commonly known as Mandai on Shivaji Road.This year is its 125 years of formation and they have erected a very beautiful Ganesh mahal.The idol of sharda Gajanan is
very unique and a delight to see.


10)Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati -Pune's most Popular and famous, night's 5th most revered Ganpati.This Ganpati goes last for immersion with most beautiful chariot dazzled with thousands of
bulbs.This Mandal is known for the largest Pandal with unique themes each year.In 2018,they have erected Rajrajeshwar Temple of Thanjavur. This Mandal attracts large swathes of crowd.
Thus, advised to visit this mandal in first 3-4 days of the festival or in the day time in the last days of festival.

11) Shanipar Mandal - Shanipar Mandal situated at Shanipar Chowk on Bajirao Road and is famous for their larger than life replicas based on some themes.In 2018; they showcased the
ten forms of Shiva in "Satyam Shivam Sundaram".This mandal is first to charge a entry fees of Rs.10 to see their decoration.The decoration is awesome and a Paisa Vasool.Their visarjan Mirvanuk
is of very high quality and set Kumthekar Road on fire during immersion procession.

12) Garud Ganpati - This mandal is located at far end of Laxmi Road near Alka Talkies.This time they have created "Ventaye Leni" or cave.This is beautifully crafted and a must visit.
Mandal is known for taking their visarjan procession on a single rath with Gajanan mandal.

13) Chhatrapati Rajaram Mandal – This Mandal is known for creating the most beautiful Pandals ala Dagduseth and Babu Genu.It is situated at Sadashiv Peth,off Laxmi Road.This time they have created
a very beautfil replica of Mahalaxmi Temple of Vellore.A must visit.

14) Navjawan Mitra Mandal – This Mandal is situated at Sadashiv Peth near Perugate and known for erecting the highest displays in the city.some years back they have erected the 122 feet
high display of Krishna slaying a demon.This Year they are performing the best live play in city with name "Shivrajyabhishek" with 30+ artists.This is a must see play this year.

15) Twasta Kasar Ganpati Mandal - This Mandal is located in Kasba Peth and known for going at number six for immersion procession just after manache paanch.This time they have erected the
very beautiful shore temples of Mahabalipuram.A must Visit.Ask for directions from Kasba Ganpati temple.

16) Jotyachi Talim Mandal- This Mandal is located at Ganesh Peth near to Dulya Maruti on laxmi road and on the occasion of it's 75 years of formation this year.They have erected a wonderful replica of Kedarnath Temple.The
 unique thing about this mandal is, they have created the exact shivlingas of 12 Jyotirlingas of India.Must Visit,we recommend it.

17) Natuwada Mandal -This Mandal is located on Kelkar Road and known for creating scientific models.This year Natuwada Mandal has created the working model of upcoming Pune Metro.This
Mandal will have a wait time of around 2-3 hours in last days.So cover it soon.It is located very near to Appa Balwant Chowk.In the past they created Chabhar sea port,Jammu Katra Railway Line and
Navi Mumbai Airpot.

18) Shahu Chowk Mandal - Shahu Chowk Mandal is known to erect the famous religious places.These are so lively that you would confuse whether they are actual or duplicate.In 2018,
they erected a South Indian style temple.This is located on a chowk with same name on Shivaji Road.

19) Nagnathpaar Mandal- This Mandal is situated at nagnath paar,off laxmi road and boasts of the Pune’s most beautiful ganesh idol.This time they have erected a replica of famous
Mahabaleshwar Temple.

20) Kunjir Talim -This Mandal is located at Shagun Chowk on Laxmi Road.This time they are performing a live play on "ban on plastic".This Play is full of comedy based on movie Sholay and
it is also full of Glamour with sensuous dance moves by performers.The second best live play of city this year.Go for it.


21) Natubag Mandal - Natubag mandal at Bajirao road always erects the highest dancing lights show with music.In the last 5 days of festival, this mandal has the sobriquet of turning the
bajirao road into a big dance floor.This time they have used LED Pixel lights.

22) Hatti Ganpati – This Mandal is known for his ganesh idol atop an elephant.It is situated at Navi Peth on Tilak Road.This time they have erected a mechanised play on "Shamburaje slaying a lion".

23) Grahak Peth – Grahak Peth is situated on Tilak Road and is basically a super Market. They used to prepare and decorate their Ganesh idol only with chocolates and Biscuits.
A treat to watch,this time they have erected a replica of Shaniwarwada made out of biscuits.

24) Khajina Vihir Mandal- This Mandal is situated at Tilak Road and is known for its larger than life Pandals and the mechanised automated Plays.This time they are showcasing the traditional
games.

25) Sane Guruju Mandal - This Mandal is situated at Ambil odha Colony on Thorle Madhavrao Peshwe Road.This time they have erected a more than beautiful Mayur Mahal.A treat to eyes,visit this.
The nearest landmark is Sarasbag.

26) Nutan Mitra Mandal- This Mandal is located at Kelkar Road,very near to Tambdi Jogeshwari.They have done the best decoration of artificial flowers and a must see.

27) Navjeet Tarun Mandal - This Mandal is known to create their ganesha's with unique items.This time they used umbrellas of various sizes to create their beautiful Ganesh idol.It is loacted in Narayan peth,near to munjabacha Bol.

28) Samyukt Prasad Mitra Mandal- This Mandal is also known to create their ganesha's with unique items.This time they used e-waste items to create their Ganesha.

29) Ganesh Mitra Mandal- This Mandal has created a Jurassic Park.It is open to adults as well as children.A must have experience.The Mandal is located at Alka Talkies Chowk on Kumthekar Road.

30) Bharat Mitra Mandal- Want to enter a crocodile's mouth,then this mandal is the place to be.They have created a beautiful Jungle Safari.A must visit Mandal,its located near to Modi
Ganpati ,off Kelkar Road in Narayan Peth.

31) Khadak Police Lines - This Mandal has erected a beautiful Balaji Temple.The Mandal is located near to PanGhanti Chowk at Shivaji Road.

32) Shivaji Chowk Mitra Mandal - This Mandal has erected a very beautiful replica of Somnath Temple.It is located on Shivaji Road.

33) Navrang Yuvak Mitra Mandal - This Mandal has created a beautiful Natraj Rath.This Mandal is located at New Nana Peth.

34) Navgraha Mitra Mandal - This Mandal has created a beautful Lotus Temple in Pune.It is located just besides kasba ganpati.

35) Neneghat Mandal- This Mandal was Lokmanya Tilak's Favorite and is completing 125 years in 2018 and hence designed a beautiful Mysore Palace.It is located in Shaniwar Peth.

36) Mayuresh Mitra Mandal - This Mandal is Photographer's delight.It is situated next to Tulsibag Ganpati and their lighting effects are so good that they make their pics resplendent.

37) Akhil Tilak Road Ekta Mandal - This Mandal has created a beautiful selfie point with the decorations consists of only Umbrellas.The whole setup looks very beautiful.

38) Shri Vinayak Mitra Mandal -This Mandal is located on Kelkar Road and known for their live plays.This time they are performing a Heart touching play on "Gadh Aala,Pan Sinh Gela".

39) Gajanan Mitra Mandal -This Mandal is known to create very good lighting effects with use of a water pond.An eye pleasing experience to visit this Mandal.It is located on Vijay Talkies chowk
on Laxmi Road.

40) Sainath Mandal Trust -This mandal is located near to Dagduseth Temple on Bhau Rangari lane.This is known to perform plays on current affairs and won many prizes.
This time they are performing on the topic of "Railway Crossings".

41) Akra Maruti Kopra - Akra Maruti Kopra at Shivaji road is known for their automated mechanised plays.This time they have created a mechanised play on Ravan vadh.

42) Nimbalkar Talim Mandal - Nimbalkar Talim Mandal is situated at Sadashiv Peth near to chimanya Ganpati and is famous for their mechanised display of mythological tales locally known
 as “Halta Dekhawas”.This time they have created a play on "Swarajyacha Killedar".

43) Lokhande Talim - Lokhande Talim always create their idol by Paper Pulp.Mandal is located on Bajirao Road near ABC and with good decoration.

44) Mangal Cricket Club- This Mandal is located at Guruwar Peth and known for their large set up of Haalta Dekhavas.This time they created a play on Shiva and Karthikeya slaying the demons.

45) Seva Mitra Mandal - Seva Mitra Mandal at Shivaji Road organised a live play on One India.This Mandal is famous for its live shows and used to won the best Mandal awards.
In 2014,they have created the 150 feet high replica of ISKCON Temple.

46) Veer Jawan Mitra Mandal - This Mandal is located on laxmi Road near to Dulya Maruti and created a beautiful palace.

47) Anand Mitra Mandal -This Mandal is located on Shivaji Road near to Khadak Maal and created a beautiful palace.

48) Gayakwad Talim Mandal - This Mandal is located on Kelkar Road and known for their secret small acts full of horror and comedy.You will be standing in a dark room and the mandal workers
will entertain you.Beware of skeletans here,there will be long queues at this mandal.

49)Ashok Tarun Mandal - This Mandal is located in Ganesh Peth near to Dulya Maruti on Laxmi Road.They have created a very beautiful tableau on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's achievements.

50)Janardhan Pawale Sangh - This Mandal is located in Kasba Peth and known to create beautiful themes.This time their ganpati is sitting in Indonesian themed Temple.

Some of the important Mandals like Chimanya Ganpati,Khadak Maal,Honaji Tarun Mandal,Ranmard Shivaji Mandal,Chinchechi Talim have erected dancing lights on music.

Lohagad Fort and Bhaja caves

As impregnable as Iron and hence the name 'Lohagad'.This fort is located around 65 KMs from Pune near to Lonavala. Though the Deccan Plateau is having hundreds of forts but only very few are
easily accessible and one among them is Lohagad. It makes a wonderful one day trip from cities of both Mumbai and Pune.

Fort as seen from foothills.

The history of this fort confirms that several dynasties ruled here like Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas.
Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648 but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 by the Treaty of Purandar. He recaptured the fort in 1670.Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range.

Twin Visapur fort which is only accessible through a trek.

One of the old inscription just after first gate Ganesh Darwaza.

As the beauty of Lohagad multiplies thousand folds during monsoons,We decided to give it a visit.
It took us two and half hour to reach the fort steps,we took the old Pune-Mumbai Highway and took a left turn from Karla Village.It is the same spot from where if you take right turn,you will
reach the famed Devi Ekvira temple at Karla Caves.After crossing the Malavali railway station and the Pune Mumbai expressway,we reached the Bhaje Village.A large waterfall welcomed us
just at the entrance of Bhaje Caves but we decided to cover the fort first due to large expected crowd of trekkers and revelers due to weekend.The roads from here are very narrow and very steep.

The car must be powerful plus the driver must be very experienced,as our ertiga failed to cross a steep curve due to loose shovels on the road and we have to walk to cross 2 steep curves.
Two wheeler must be avoided as I have seen at least a dozen two wheeler's falling on the ground with their occupants.

There are 2 good scenic points to shoot pictures before the foothills of fort.One is to shoot the famed VinchuKata (Scorpian Tail) with their 4 waterfalls and another one at gaumukh khind
from where you can shoot both Visapur fort and the Lohagad fort.We started to climb steps at 10:30 AM and reached the top in flat 60 mins.There are 4 gates in between Ganesh Darwaza,
Narayan Darwaza,Maha darwaza and Hanuman Darwaza.The entrance of this fort is still intact and there are numerous photography opportunities at the 300+ steps and the gates.Do not forget to capture the iconic 'serpentine steps' picture from Maha darwaza.

Trademark Serpentine steps of Lohagad.

Just after entering from first ganesh darwaza,you can see an inscription on a stone and some canons.I must say that spend some time at each darwaza and you will observe different
scenic views from every gate.

MahaDarwaza

After the 4th Hanuman darwaza which is the oldest one as other three are younger and bulit by Nana Phadnavis(1742-1800 AD),there are two ways,one is going to right which will
take you to Laxmi Kothi(a place to store the loot from surat),it can accomodate atleast 50 person even now,a lake and the tomb of Sheikh Umar.
The left route will start from a tomb(just in front of 4th gate) like structure and an open air place for meetings(Sabhagruha) which also holds some canons.

Just after this you will find a Shiva temple and an octagonal lake near by.If you walk further you will see some more water ponds,a 16 corner water tank and finally you will reach the main attraction of this fort "Vinchukata".

This place is recently fortified with iron railings as there is a steep drop from here.When we reached this place,it was completely engulfed in the clouds.Then I waited for 30 min and then the clouds
disappeared for few seconds and I got a chance to view as well as click some photos of this majestic 30 meter wide and 1500 meter long fortification which resembles a Scorpion Sting and thus the name Vinchukata or Vinchukada.

Famed Vinchukata

Vinchukata engulfed in clouds.

There is a proper way to go here and the views from here are magnificent.On the right you can see the twin fort of Visapur and on the left you can see the mighty Pawna dam.

After seeing this ,the way downstairs is simple 30 min walk.The steps are good enough but at some places they are broken and special care needs to be taken during rains as some parts of
stairs resembles like waterfall during rains.


We had a good snacks lunch at the Lohgadwadi base village of bada pao,Maggi,Kanda Bhaji and a steaming cup of tea.For vegetarians,there is only one restaurant that serves pure veg items.
The snacks are good but a little bit expensive but its ok as these are run by locals and they are running it in harsh weather conditions.

It took us 3 hours to climb and completely explore the fort and when we were getting down we saw hundreds of people climbing up the stairs.So it is wise to reach this fort early in the
morning.There was a complete chaos while returning from the fort as people haphazardly parked their cars on the steep roads.

Somehow we reached the base of Bhaje caves and start climbing the 200 steps of caves.There is an ASI entrance fees of Rs.25 to visit these caves.

ChaityaGriha

Bhaje Caves.

Important :Ancient game of Chaupad inscribed on the floor of Cave No.12

It is a group od 22 rock cut caves with cave no.12 is the main cave as a chaityagriha rest all other are Viharas.These belongs to Hinayana sect and are 2200 years old.caves are surrounded by 2 big waterfalls and numerous small one which are falling just outside of viharas forming a water curtain.I just wondered when the monks were resting in these viharas then they must be having a wonderful view of these small water channels from their nicely crafted windows.

Apart from cave no. 12 ,the another cave of importance is cave 18.It has a pillared verandah in front and is adorned with unique reliefs.
The carvings in this cave proves that tabla was used in India even before two thousand years.
The carving in this cave depicts a woman playing tabla and another one dancing.

Lower left corner,one can see a lady playing Tabla.

A notable part that makes these set of caves unique is a group of 14 stupas, five inside and nine outside an irregular excavation. The stupas are relics of resident monks, who died at Bhaja,
and display an inscription with the names of three monks, Ampinika, Dhammagiri and Sanghdina.One of the stupa shows Stavirana Bhadanta means the venerable reverend inscribed on it.
The stupa particulars show the name of the monks and their respective titles.The stupas have been carved very elaborately and two of them have a relic box on their upper side.

Unique thing with Bhaje caves.

Group of 14 stupas.

We spent nearly 1 hour in exploring all the caves.Then we spent 30 min at the main Waterfall which is enchanting enough to force anyone to drench in it.It is a safe waterfall and must be visited.

Bhaje Waterfall

The road from here back to Pune is good and after a customary dinner at famed 'Toni daa dhaba' on old Highway ,we reached our home back with lot of memories and pictures.