A WALK TO REMEMBER

The loud yet exciting beats of the dhol Pathak! The lip-smacking sweet relish of modaks. People dressed in saffron as they throng the streets chanting ‘Ganapati Bappa Moraya!’ Bappa is back and with him the hubbub of the Ganapati festival.

While getting involved in the Ganapati festival can get exhilarating for Puneites, one can only imagine how stirring it can be for someone who isn’t so familiar with it. We aren’t talking just about non-Maharashtrians, but about the expats who live in the city. Conducted especially for them are Ganapati walks by the Pune Expat Club (PEC) each year. Their walks start from Shaniwar Wada as well, after which there’s a walk-through of Lal Mahal, and Kasba Ganapati followed by the Dagdusheth Mandal decoration. Next comes shopping at Tulshi Baugh after which they view the decorative lights at Natubaugh Manda on Bajirao Road.

Preeti Roongta, co-founder at PEC says, “We have members from Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Australia, China, Brazil, the USA, the UK, Germany, Italy, France and many more. Most of them are senior personnel from MNCs. Some members have been living in the city for more than five years, while some have recently relocated. While on the walk we explain the importance of the Ganapati aarti and the history behind the festival. While experiencing the gala of all that they love to experience completely. We give them plenty of background info and as foreigners, they are in awe and soak everything in. We conclude with a walk through the Mahatma Phule Mandai and the flower market.”

Vikas Roongta, co-founder at PEC puts in earnestly, “While on the walk the expats love to gorge on local grub like pani-puri, vada-pav, thaal-peeth, ukadiche modak, etc. They are keen to know about the significance of Shaniwarwada, Lal Mahal, Dagdu Sheth temple, the shows put up by various mandals, and the major the dhol tasha!.”