India, Sept. 15 -- The 12-day Ganesh festival began on Monday with traditional fervour, as devotees welcomed idols into homes, housing societies and public mandals, while police closely watched compliance with noise pollution norms during processions and celebrations.

The 'pran pratishtha' ceremonies of the city's five Manache Ganpatis - Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug Ganpati and Kesari Wada Ganpati - were performed amid chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya'.

Police teams were deployed at key locations to monitor processions, crowd movement and the use of sound systems. The use of high-decibel DJ systems and other amplified sound during Ganeshotsav has emerged as a contentious issue in Pune, with authoritie...