Kharadi - Pune, September 9, 2024: This year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Forest County (FC) in Pune commenced with an invigorating start, marking Day 1 with vibrant festivities and a profound sense of community spirit, stated a press release.

Celebrations on the first day began with a grand Ganesh Aagman - where the idol of Lord Ganesha was welcomed with traditional musical beats and enthusiastic dancing by all the residents. The evening featured a serene aarti, uniting everyone in prayer and devotion.

The event was later graced with a captivating classical dance performance and an engaging game of Tambola by residents. The first night of FC’s Ganeshotsav was a visual and auditory delight, showcasing a blend of classical dances and devotional songs. Performers of all ages mesmerized the audience with their talents, as melodious Sthapnas and rhythmic devotional beats filled the FC amphitheatre.

The presence of Mrs. Prabha Karpe, a distinguished social worker and founder of a social foundation - that goes by her name, added an inspiring social touch and heightened social awareness among all residents present.

Young anchors Yashi, and Garima further enriched the experience with their exceptional oratory skills, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. A notable highlight of the evening was the Housie game, with approximately 215 tickets sold! The game, guided by the engaging anchors Mrs. Punam Joshi and Mrs. Rachana Sharma, featured exciting rules such as corners, framework, and temperature, which contributed to the fun and participation of the community.

Celebrations on the second day began with a beautiful aarti at 10 a.m. in the amphitheatre. Followed by a ladies' Thali decoration and Toran making event, showcasing beautifully crafted thalis and torans. A highly anticipated treasure hunt was held with activities organized for two age groups, (Ages 10-12: 11 a.m. in the badminton court; Ages 13-16: 1:30 p.m. in the badminton court)

The evening featured an engaging skit titled - 'Maharashtrachi Lok Katha,' exploring the origins of Maharashtra. The final act of the evening was the much-anticipated kids' solo dance performances, a cherished highlight of the celebrations. Additionally, a pottery workshop was held in the restaurant, providing residents with an opportunity to explore new creative skills.

Some very enthused FC community members responded to the beautiful festivities;

Tarun Jain (FC Resident) praised the divine Ashtvinayak-themed decorations stating, “The stage decoration looked divine and soothing. On witnessing the moortis long enough, one feels like they have entered a meditative state and feels like they're actually connected with God!”

Nikhil Oza (FC Resident) expressed his excitement, “The team involved did some truly wonderful decoration, and arrangements to welcome Bappa in FC. If this is the start, we are all truly excited about the next 10 days!”

Prerana Umate ((FC Resident) commended the effective management by stating, "Handling such a huge crowd during Housie was not at all easy, but it was managed so well! Kudos to Manish, Poonam and Rachna!"

An annual occurrence, the Ganeshotsav at Forest County continues to be a memorable celebration, fostering community spirit and offering enjoyable experiences for all its community members, stated a press release.