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I dont care about this lowlifes opinions on Marathis/Marathas but this is a sacrilege against a god held sacred by Hindus from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and elsewhere hence a small attempt on my part to tell the truth. 1/ https://twitter.com/therajaputra/status/1360880890000248835
2/ Would like to Credit Kaustubh Kasture for the post. I am summarzing it breifly in English covering the specific events mentioned bu him.
Headsup- Kaustubh has studied Selections from Peshwe Daftar (which are one of the most contemporary records of 18th cent Maratha History)
Headsup- Kaustubh has studied Selections from Peshwe Daftar (which are one of the most contemporary records of 18th cent Maratha History)
3/ Firstly, Shivrai's mother Rajmata of Hindavi Swarajya Jijabai Saheb, had established Kasba Ganpati which became the Gram Devta of Pune.
Celebrations were started on a good scale in then not very largely populated city of Pune.
Celebrations were started on a good scale in then not very largely populated city of Pune.
4/ There are even popular oral folk tales of it passed down from generation to generation.
Especially the conversation between Swami Samarth Ramdas and Shivrai on the importance of Ganeshutsav
Especially the conversation between Swami Samarth Ramdas and Shivrai on the importance of Ganeshutsav
5/ When Aurangzeb came down to Deccan with millions of soldiers, there were mass scale ravages and hence festivities couldnt be observed as it would in peace time.
The period of stability was lacking until Aurangzeb's grave was dug in Deccan by Marathas
The period of stability was lacking until Aurangzeb's grave was dug in Deccan by Marathas
6/ Then during Peshwa era especially Nanasaheb Peshwas' time as stability and prosperity of Hindavi Swarajya increased, Ganesh Utsav celebrations again picked up on a large scale.
7/ Contemporary sources dated 5th August 1754, say that in order to decorate the tree and Ganpati Mandir, Nanasaheb Peshwa had ordered and received velvet and silks clothings and flowers from the Firangis (English) for decoration purposes.
8/ The contemporary sources go on to describe how the event would be celebrated, with artists from all parts of India/Hindavi Swarajya being invited over the span of 10 days for classical dancing and singing.
9/ And they were suitably awarded and given the desired clothing + jewellery.
Expenses of these festivities are well recorded too by the Patwardhans.
Expenses of these festivities are well recorded too by the Patwardhans.
10/ When the Ganesh murti 'sthapana' was done in Shaniwarwada, contemporary sources say 'Artis' were performed and chanted loudly.
Kirtans were sung well into the night.
Kirtans were sung well into the night.
11/ Following the death of Nanasaheb Peshwa, when Madhavrao took upon the Peshwa role. It is well known that he was a Ganesha Bhakt, thus continued the tradition and performed the festivities on as large a scale as before.
Records confirm it.
Records confirm it.
12/ During the era of Nana Fadnavis's regency, mention is made that while Ganesh murti was taken on a Palkhi for 'visarjan' , celebratory firings would be made from 'toph'/ artillery piece.
13/ In a letter dated 1778, Ganeshutsav finds mention and is mentioned that during 'visarjan' , elephant calf draped with 'Zari-Patka' would accompany the Ganesh murti for 'visarjan'.
14/ Also one 'Shivay Tejrava' named female elephant was brought from Shivpur, and 1778 Pune Ganesh Utsav celebrations were done intentionally on a large scale, as last 4-5 yrs Pune hadnt witnessed it as was the norm, due to Maratha-Anglo war that took place in that interval.
15/ Hence, it can be safely assumed that Ganesh Utsav celebrations were public celebrations, in Maharashtra well before Tilak revived it again.
James Wells (contemporary source) has even noted it and drawings made.
James Wells (contemporary source) has even noted it and drawings made.
16/ Thereby, when some two-bit Anti- Hindu rant comes along with dubious snippets from even more dubious non-contemporary books, that too out of context, and books based on motivated narratives, we might be now more wise to be able to give it a royal ignore.
