Women-Only Ganeshotsav Ritual in Pune Marks 40 Years

Every year during Ganeshotsav, many women in Pune gather to pray to Lord Ganesha.

They recite a Sanskrit hymn called the Atharvashirsha together.

The gathering is held at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir.

Women begin coming shortly after midnight.

By 6 am, more than 30,000 women may be there.

They wear colourful traditional clothes, including nauvari saris and naths.

The event was started by a Pune couple.

This year, the women’s ritual completes 40 years.