Pune Ganeshotsav 2026 Fact Sheet: 6.7 Lakh Idols Immersed, 118 Tonnes of Waste Processed, Police Deployed for Over 32 Hours
Pune’s Ganpati immersion procession this year continued for more than 33 hours, while 4,170 public Ganesh mandals and 6,24,685 household Ganesh idols were immersed during the 10-day festival, according to PMC and Pune Police data.
The main immersion procession began from Belbaug Chowk at 8.43 am on Friday and concluded at Alka Talkies at 6.10 pm on Saturday, before proceeding towards the river banks. It lasted over an hour longer than last year.
More than 650 mandals participated in the main procession through prominent routes including Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road and Kelkar Road before reaching Tilak Chowk.
Maharashtra Tarun Mandal from Kashewadi was the last mandal in the main procession. It reached Natraj Ghat and immersed its idol at around 7.33 pm on Saturday.
Pune Police personnel remained deployed for more than 32 hours during the procession, handling security and traffic arrangements. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said no untoward incident was reported during the entire immersion procession.
Manache Ganpati immersion timings
All five Manache Ganpati, Kasba, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Tulshibaug, Guruji Talim and Kesariwada, completed their immersion by 6.30 pm on Friday.
Kasba Ganpati began its procession at around 8.43 am and was immersed at around 4.43 pm. Tambdi Jogeshwari started at 9.18 am and was immersed at about 5.02 pm.
Guruji Talim moved out at about 9.39 am and was immersed at 5.05 pm. Kesariwada began at around 9.26 am and was immersed at around 5.34 pm, while Tulshibaug started at around 9.30 am and was immersed at around 5.40 pm.
The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati was immersed at Panchaleshwar Ghat at 8.27 pm on Friday.
Mahesh Suryawanshi, treasurer of the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Trust, said the mandal received an immense response from devotees and had started its immersion procession by 4 pm as committed earlier.
The overall procession was delayed after several mandals halted their processions around midnight and resumed on Saturday morning.
Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandal also apologised for a delay in its procession. The mandal said several chariots of other mandals were stationed between the festival pavilion and the Tilak statue at Mandai, blocking the route and delaying its palanquin by around 30 minutes.
Noise monitored at over 100 locations
Police monitored noise levels at more than 100 locations during the immersion procession.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said preliminary observations indicated lower noise levels compared with previous years. Police are compiling data on violations and will take action against those found exceeding prescribed limits.
15 arrested, property worth ₹35 lakh seized
Vishrambag Police busted a gang accused of using the crowds during the Ganpati immersion procession to commit thefts.
Fifteen accused were arrested, leading to the resolution of 22 crimes. Police seized property worth approximately ₹35 lakh, including gold jewellery, mobile phones and purses.
20-year-old died after falling from tractor trolley
A 20-year-old man died after falling from a moving tractor trolley on BT Kawade Road at around 4 pm on September 25 while returning from the Ganpati immersion procession.
Police identified him as Vighnesh Santosh Pawar, a resident of Ramtekdi. According to police, Pawar was running behind the moving trolley and attempted to climb onto it near Vijay Sales at Kalubai Chowk when he lost his balance and fell.
The trolley’s rear wheel ran over his head. He was taken to Sassoon General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
