India, Sept. 22 -- Pune's iconic Ganpati mandals have emerged as a major draw for politicians, senior military officers, sportspersons and film personalities during the ongoing Ganeshotsav, with several prominent visitors offering prayers at the city's most revered idols over the past few days.

The historic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati mandal has hosted a string of high-profile visitors, including Southern Command GOC-in-C Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar, badminton star Saina Nehwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, and NCP (SP) leaders Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar.

Lt Gen Pushkar visited the mandal with his wife and participated in the aarti. He said it was his first visit to the mandal. "It was a good experience. Different festiv...