Pune: Wada occupants try to hold on to traditions during pandemic

PUNE: Time seems to have stood still for

Ganeshotsav

in the few surviving wadas in Pune, with their occupants still trying their best to stay true to the old ‘One

Wada

, One

Ganapati

, tradition during the 10-day festival, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

The celebrations in the wadas, known for intricate and beautiful carvings on the pillars and doors, showcased close bond with the neighbours. “Our mandal has been celebrating the festival in our wada for the last 73 years,” said

Manohar Gavali

, a resident of Gavali wada in Nana Peth, where 30-35 families resided.

He said, “Most of the tenants have shifted. Some have even moved to other cities for work and personal reasons. But many of them make it a point to take leave for 10 days and visit us during the Ganeshotsav and keep the tradition of celebrating the festival together alive.”

Pralhad Malvadkar

, a resident of

Malvadkar

wada in Ganesh Peth, said, “We have always strictly avoided the use of speakers during the festival to prevent noise pollution. We are mindful of our neighbours and don’t want to be a nuisance to them. Every year, we also organised a talent contest for the children of the wada and invite others from neighbouring residences to join in the activities as well.”

Reminiscing about the grand celebrations in the past,

Meghana Shidhaye

from a wada near Jogeshwari mandir in Budhwar Peth said, “We do all the decorations ourselves, with children making it an art and craft project. Before the pandemic, all the tenants would participate in cultural activities, such as skits, dance, rangoli, and other fun games organized throughout the 10-day festival. The women from the wada would get-together and watch a movie to stay awake till midnight for a puja performed just before the festival.”

After the pandemic, however, there have been no such celebrations. Out of the 10-15 families that lived in the wada, most have moved, she said.

Born and brought up in a century old wada,

Kapil Jagtap

from Sadashiv Peth, misses how every family took turns to make the prasad during aarti every day of the festival during his childhood. “Though they were different households, tenants of the wada considered themselves a part of one big family. Tenants took turns to perform the aarti and every one would join the procession to raise slogans and chants as we headed towards the river for visarjan.”


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