Pune: Many mandals persist with option for online darshan

PUNE: Many Ganesh mandals in the city have persisted with offering devotees the online darshan option through websites and social media platforms despite the ease in Covid-induced restrictions after two years.
A functionary of Shrimant Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati said the trust found that the facility was proving useful and hence, continued with it this year. “We have provided various options of website, app and social media accounts. The darshan facility is available round-the-clock. The platforms are receiving good responses from residents,” he said.
Surekha Joshi, a resident of Shivajinagar visited the website on Tuesday evening to get a live darshan of Shrimant Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati. “I preferred online darshan because I could not visit the pandal on the first. I found it helpful,” Joshi said.
Ramesh Shah from Shukrawar Peth said he opted for online darshan last two years and he would prefer the same this year. “I am planning to visit the pandals of prominent mandals but if there is huge crowd, I shall go for online darshan,” Shah said.
The civic administration had last two years appealed to Ganesh mandals to provide the option of online darshan owing to the restrictions because of the pandemic.
Shrimant Bhausaheb Ranagari Ganapati Trust is offering online darshan this year, too. “We have a dedicated website and providing updates of programmes being held on the festival days. The response of devotees has been positive as they can offer prayers from home. It is also benefiting people from other cities,” a member of the mandal said.