Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal: Cynosure of all eyes

For years, Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal was referred to as Bahulichya Haudacha Ganpati as it was celebrated in front of a tank with a fountain at the centre which had a dancing doll (Bahuli).

It was way back in 1893, when Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the public celebration of Ganesh festival, when Dagdusheth Halwai, a sweet trader came forward and started the festival. The mandal is now named after him.  The mandal is known for its attractive idol. The first idol was installed at the hands of Tilak.

Even though the mandal is more than 100 years old, last 50 years have witnessed the progress of mandal as the leader of fest in the state.

Late Prataprao Godse along with late Jayant Salgaonkar founded the Ganeshotsav Mahamandal and started social initiatives during the fest.

The mandal started its own cooperative Suvarnayug Sahakari Bank in 1973 which has more than Rs600 crore turnover and depositor-account holders base of more than 50,000. The mandal started its own trust which has a turnover of Rs16 crore and it has undertaken various social initiatives like free ambulances, housing for labourers, free meals for 1,200 patients every day at Sassoon Hospital and providing education to students from economically weaker sections.

The mandal organises cultural festival from Gudi Padwa to Ram Navami where all the stalwarts from Maharashtrian culture perform.

Lakhs of devotees from across the world make it a point to visit this mandal and seek blessings of Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati.