Devotees pray for rain at Ganpatipule on Angarki Chaturthi; turnout down 35-40 per cent

Devotees began gathering from morning at Shree Kshetra Ganpatipule, the well-known pilgrimage centre in Ratnagiri, on Tuesday for Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. It was the third Angarki Chaturthi of the year, which gave the occasion special religious significance. Even so, drought conditions and the ongoing Pitru Pandharvada meant 35 to 40 per cent fewer devotees turned up than on ordinary days.

Angarki Chaturthi has fallen three times in 2026, and Ganesh devotees showed considerable enthusiasm. From morning, people reached the temple to bow at the feet of the deity. Many devotees prayed that all the state's troubles be removed and that Maharashtra be prosperous and free of crisis.

Ganpatipule usually sees huge crowds on every Angarki, but this time a drop in numbers was recorded. The temple's Devasthan administration had made firm arrangements for darshan, and 39 darshan queues were set up in the temple premises. Devotees who came for darshan received blessings peacefully and in an orderly manner.

All three Angarki occasions of this year are now over. Devotees will have to wait for the next Angarki Sankashti Chaturthi. The next one falls on 22 June 2027, about 19 months from now.

Amit Dhanvatkar, chief priest of the Ganpatipule temple Devasthan, said the administration had made every kind of preparation for visiting devotees. According to him, very little rain this season has cast a shadow of drought, Ganeshotsav ended only recently and Pitru Pandharvada is now under way. The combined effect of all this was seen in attendance.

The number of devotees fell by 35 to 40 per cent this Angarki. The chief priest prayed at the deity's feet: "We have just one prayer to Bappa now, that the rain be ample and our Maharashtra be bountiful." Farmers and ordinary people are in distress because of the failure of nature, so a special prayer for rain was also offered at the temple.