Pune, Sep 6 (PTI) For the first time in several years, the idols of the five manache (revered or eminent) Ganpatis of Pune city were immersed before 6 pm on Saturday, the last day of the Ganesh festival. <br>Thanks to the meticulous planning by police and discipline observed by Ganesh mandals, the famous Shrimant Dagadusheth Ganpati too was immersed earlier this year. <br>The immersion procession began around 9.30 am with the traditional pomp as Kasba Ganapati, the first among the fivemanache Ganpati', set off towards the river.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Union Minister of State and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, and state Minister Chandrakant Patil participated in the procession of Kasba Ganpati which was immersed around 2.45 pm.
The immersion of the other four manache' Ganpatis -- Tambadi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug and Kesriwada -- too was over by 5.30 pm.<br>The idol of Dagadusheth Ganpati was immersed around 9.30 pm.<br>Devotees in their thousands thronged Alka Chowk, a prominent intersection on Laxmi Road wheredhol-tasha' (drum instruments) troupes accompanying the idols perform, to catch a glimpse of the city's beloved deity.
Pune Police had issued a detailed timetable for the immersion procession this year, and urged the five `manache Ganpatis' to start early, to ensure that the procession did not stretch into the next day.
Police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said it was praiseworthy that all the key mandals adhered to the timetable and cooperated with the police and civic administration.