Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi, Pune’s heart beats at the steps of the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir. Lakhs of devotees pour in from across Maharashtra and beyond for darshan of this iconic Bappa. In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on August 27 (Wednesday), with the grand visarjan on September 6 (Saturday). This year, the Dagdusheth Ganpati Trust has prepared something truly spectacular – a Padmanabhaswamy Temple–themed pandal, bringing a slice of Kerala’s sacredness into Pune.
If you’re planning a visit in 2025, here’s everything you need to know – pandal theme, aarti timings, rituals, history, and practical tips.
2025 Pandal Theme: Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple Comes to Pune
This year’s mandal theme pays tribute to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram.
- Over 400 artisans have recreated a life-sized Kerala-style temple façade at Hirabagh Kothi, Pune.
- The structure is 120 feet long, 90 feet wide, and nearly 100 feet tall, featuring five intricately designed tiers and 30 carved pillars.
- Inside, a divine idol of Lord Padmanabha in Anantashayana (reclining) form has been placed, surrounded by deities including Vishnu–Lakshmi, Shiva–Parvati, Krishna, and Narasimha.
- The pandal walls showcase scenes from the Ramayana and Krishna Leela, adding to the devotional storytelling.
- Each morning, devotees are welcomed with the beats of Kerala’s traditional Chenda Melam. From August 29 to September 6, the Nadabramha Kalavedi group performs daily at 5:30 AM, with up to 60 musicians playing during the visarjan procession.
This blend of Kerala’s temple grandeur and Pune’s Ganesh devotion makes the 2025 pandal a must-see.
Aarti Timings & Daily Schedule
The official daily aarti schedule at Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir is as follows (year-round, including festival days unless otherwise updated):
- Suprabhatam Aarti – 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM
- Naivedyam Aarti – 1:30 PM to 1:45 PM
- Madhyana Aarti – 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM
- Mahamangal Aarti – 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Shejarti (closing aarti) – 10:30 PM to 10:45 PM
Darshan is generally open from 5:00 AM to 10:30 PM (extended to 11:00 PM on Tuesdays). During Ganeshotsav, extended darshan hours and crowd-control arrangements apply.
You can also watch Live Darshan on the official website if you can’t make it through the crowds.
Festival Schedule Highlights (Ganeshotsav 2025)
From the temple’s official Ganeshotsav Patrika:
- Aug 27: Ganesh Agaman (8:30 AM), Pran Pratishtha (11:11 AM), Ganesh Yag (1:00 PM), evening lighting of Padmanabhaswamy replica (7:00 PM).
- Aug 28: Atharvashirsha Pathan (6:00 AM), Hari Jagar (10:00 PM–midnight).
- Aug 29–30: Surya Namaskar & Agnihotra rituals.
- Sept 3: Mantra Jagar (Bhagwat Ekadashi) – 3:00 PM.
- Sept 5: Satya Vinayak Puja (4:00 – 6:00 PM), Haldi-Kumkum (7:00–8:00 PM).
- Sept 6: Ganesh Visarjan begins at 4:00 PM.
History & Significance
The temple’s story begins in the late 1800s. Sweet-maker Dagdusheth Halwai and his wife Laxmibai, grieving the loss of their son during a plague, installed Lord Ganesha as a source of solace. Their devotion soon resonated with the community.
- Lokmanya Tilak, who spearheaded the idea of public Ganeshotsavs in 1893, encouraged this collective celebration, turning Dagdusheth Ganpati into Pune’s cultural heartbeat.
- Today, the idol is famed for its pure gold ornaments, often weighing over 40 kg, donated by devotees over generations.
- The Trust also runs several charitable initiatives – schools, hostels, microfinance projects, and an old-age home – making the temple not only a place of worship but also of community service.
How to Visit in 2025: Practical Tips
- Location: Ganpati Bhavan, 250, Budhwar Peth, Pune – 411002 (near Laxmi Road).
- Best Times for Darshan: Early morning after Suprabhatam (before 9 AM) or late evening after Mahamangal Aarti. Afternoons are relatively lighter on non-peak days.
- During Ganeshotsav: Expect heavy crowds, especially in the evenings and on weekends. Arrive before sunrise for a quicker darshan.
- Tatkal Darshan Passes: Limited priority passes are available during Ganeshotsav – book early via the E-Seva portal.
- Accessibility: Special arrangements are made for seniors and differently-abled devotees.
- Transport: Public transport (Pune Metro, PMPML buses, rickshaws) is advisable as parking is scarce. During Ganeshotsav, traffic diversions around Laxmi Road are common.
Summing Up
In 2025, Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati offers not just darshan but an experience – Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple recreated in Pune, morning chenda beats, timeless aartis, and rituals that carry forward over a century of devotion. For first-time visitors, it’s both a spiritual journey and a cultural immersion. Plan wisely, arrive early, and if the crowds overwhelm you, remember: Bappa is just a click away on the Live Darshan stream.
