Bhagyashree Controversy: On the first day of Ganesh Utsav, Bhagyashree and her husband Himalaya Dasani performed aarti of the lord at the royal family’s traditional institution in Sangli. This ritual was completed even before the arrival of Bhagyashree’s father Vijaysinhraje Patwardhan. Vijaysinghraje Patwardhan belongs to the old royal family and has traditionally participated in the religious rituals of the institute. According to media reports, Bhagyashree’s father Patwardhan got angry with this.
He raised questions as to why the Aarti was performed in his absence and said that the old traditions of the institution should not be changed. Patwardhan’s statement has come out regarding this entire matter. Giving information in which he said that the tradition is that the idol of Ganapati should be worshiped in the presence of members of the royal family. I don’t know who took the decision to perform the aarti in my absence. Whatever may be the reason, the tradition of the institution should not be changed.
What did Bhagyashree’s mother say?
Bhagyashree’s mother Rajlakshmiraje Patwardhan defended the family’s role in maintaining the rituals of the institute, saying that she had made Adityaraje Patwardhan her son and legal heir. The couple has three daughters – Bhagyashree, Madhuvanti and Purnima. Furthermore, he said that we have adopted Adityaraje and he is our only legal heir. He is capable of carrying forward the rituals and traditions of our institution.
What did Bhagyashree say?
Bhagyashree’s statement has come out on this entire matter. While giving information, she said that she had attended the puja due to health related problems of Vijay Singh Raje and following the family tradition. She further said that I have come to Sangli after many years, ‘Rajesaheb’ has health problems and as per our tradition, it is necessary for at least one of the three sisters to come to Sangli. I have grown up in Sangli institution with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. So this year I decided to come to Sangli on Chaturthi.
What is tradition?
Shri Ganpati Panchayatan Sansthan was established by the Patwardhan royal family and is associated with the religious traditions of Sangli. The dispute is over the traditional role of family members in performing important rituals during the annual Ganesh festival. There has also been a history of differences within the family on this matter. A few years ago, Vijaysinharaje had handed over the management of the institute to Dasani. They later withdrew administrative powers alleging that Dasani had sold the institute’s property without permission. Dasani denied these allegations.
Dasani stopped going to Sangli
After this controversy, Dasani stopped going to Sangli during Ganesh Utsav and after this Bhagyashree also stopped attending the festival. The temple management says that its aim is to organize religious and cultural programs properly while maintaining the traditions of the institution. This latest controversy has once again drawn attention to the question of who should perform the main rituals at the historic institution and how should its traditional practices be followed during the Ganesh festival?