Nagpur sets up 12 immersion tanks at Chitnis Park for Ganeshotsav

Twelve Ganesh idol collection centres have been set up at Chitnis Park in Nagpur this year to promote an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav. The idea was proposed by central Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke, aimed at giving devotees an easy and convenient arrangement for idol immersion. On Wednesday, the 23rd, the centres were formally consecrated and inaugurated by Mayor Nita Thakre.

The programme was attended by Gandhibagh zone chairperson Uma Deshmukh, corporators Sudhir alias Bandu Raut, Sachin Naik, Sanjay Balpande, Vaishali Udapurkar, Vidya Kanhere and Pramila Gaur. Green Vigil founders Kaustav Chatterjee and Surabhi Jaiswal, and environmental expert Swanand Soni, along with municipal corporation officials and staff, were also present.

Mayor Nita Thakre performed the puja of Lord Ganesh and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of all citizens. She appealed to devotees to immerse idols only in an eco-friendly manner and to use the artificial immersion tanks set up by the municipal corporation.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has set up artificial immersion tanks at various locations across all ten zones of the city this year. To help citizens quickly find the nearest tank, the corporation has provided a QR code and zone-wise information on its website about the tanks, their locations and directions to reach them. Citizens have been urged to use the QR code or website to immerse idols at the nearest tank with devotion and without harming the environment.

The 12 immersion tanks at Chitnis Park have been set up on the initiative of MLA Pravin Datke in memory of the late Prabhakarrao Datke. All the tanks have been named after major rivers. Of these, 8 tanks are 20 feet long and 12 feet wide, 5 are 15 feet long and 9 feet wide, and 2 are 12 feet long and 8 feet wide.

The 12 tanks of varying sizes have been provided so that devotees do not have to wait long for immersion. Devotional songs will be played during immersion, creating a devotional atmosphere in the area. Electricity and lighting arrangements have also been made so that devotees face no difficulty at night.

The immersion tanks have been built in the shape of a swastika, and separate nirmalya urns have been placed at each site to collect immersion offerings separately. Arrangements have been made for devotees to enter Chitnis Park with idols through all its entrances.

The programme was compered by Ujwala Charde of the municipal corporation's sports department. The dignitaries present were felicitated on behalf of the corporation with a ceremonial stole and a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.