Maharashtra Chief Minister Visits Ganesh Mandals In Pune, Says Government Eased Curbs On Festivals To Remove 'Negativity'

 Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday visited several prominent Ganesh mandals in Pune and sought blessings of the deity. 

Shinde visited five 'manache' (pre-eminent) Ganpati mandals in the city - Kasba, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug, and Kesari Wada. He also visited some prominent mandals, including Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati. 

Speaking to reporters on occasion, Shinde said he could see happiness among the members of Ganesh mandals as they could celebrate the festival with great fanfare this year.

"We had eased all the restrictions at the time of Dahi Handi (celebrated last month). For the last two years, Covid-19 has left the people of the state troubled. Negativity had spread in the society, and the state government decided to do away with that negativity by allowing people to celebrate the festivals with great zeal and zest by taking due care," he said.

Shinde also met ailing BJP MLA Mukta Tilak, who represents the Kasba Assembly constituency, to enquire about her health. 

The 10-day festival dedicated to the elephant-headed god that began on August 31 will conclude on September 9. 

(Inputs from PTI)