Ganeshotsav 2012: Taking off the glare to shine

Believe it or not, the Hirabaug Mitra Mandal, famous for its trick-scenes and attractive decoration, has decided to celebrate the 10-day Ganeshotsav with simplicity and donate the money spent on decorations for a cause.

Taking into consideration the drought-like situation in the state, the mandal has decided to donate a minimum amount of Rs2 lakh for making permanent arrangements for drinking water in two villages in Purandar taluka of Pune district. The villages will be selected after withdrawal of monsoon.

Mandal president Dilip Raut informed DNA that this year they have decided to install the idol in the pandal for 10 days without much decoration. The decision was taken after some friends suggested to keep this year’s festival a low-key affair.

Earlier also, the mandal had donated Rs1 lakh to deal with drought-like situation in the state during the tenure of Vasantraodada Patil.

The Hirabaug mandal is popular with Puneites who come out in large numbers to enjoy the festival.

For the last 25 years, the mandal has been recreating scenes like Kaliya Mardan, Krushna Janma, Ganesh Janma and many other mythological themes that have attracted huge crowds.

Raut said that generally the mandal spends around Rs5 lakh on decorations, but this year the local residents did not contribute much as the mandal was not going for attractive decoration.

He added, “This year, due to restriction on box arches, the subscription would not go as high as Rs5 lakh, so we have decided to donate at least Rs2 lakh to two villages in Purandar taluk after the celebrations are over.”

He added that the mandal would consult experts before selecting the two villages facing water scarcity. The mandal, situated near Town Hall Committee on Tilak Road, was formed in 1970 by a group of youngsters who gathered at a tea stall.