In 1892, Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari, a royal physician and freedom fighter, established India's first public Ganeshotsav in Pune's Shalukar Bol area. This initiative aimed to foster national unity and resistance against British colonial rule. Rangari's installation of a unique Ganesha idol, depicting the deity's victory over evil, symbolized the triumph of good over oppression.

The festival's public nature provided a platform for political discourse, cultural expression, and community engagement, circumventing British restrictions on public gatherings. Inspired by Rangari's efforts, Lokmanya Tilak later popularized the public celebration of Ganeshotsav, transforming it into a nationwide movement for independence.

Today, the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust continues to celebrate this legacy, maintaining traditions while adapting to contemporary times, ensuring that the spirit of unity and resistance endures.