The state of Maharashtra is gearing up to celebrate Ganeshotsav with unprecedented fervor, following the festival's official recognition as a "State Festival". This landmark announcement, made in the Legislative Assembly by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, underscores the government's commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural legacy of this iconic festival.
Ganeshotsav, initiated by Lokmanya Tilak in 1893, is deeply rooted in social unity, nationalism, freedom, self-respect, and linguistic pride. Minister Shelar has emphasized that the festival embodies Maharashtra's cultural pride and identity. The government aims to elevate the festival to national and international prominence, blending tradition with modernity.
In recent times, however, Ganeshotsav celebrations have faced challenges. Minister Shelar has accused the opposition parties, including Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (UBT), of working under an "urban Naxalite agenda" to curtail the public celebration of Ganeshotsav. He asserted that these parties have attempted to obstruct the celebrations through legal petitions and campaigns against Plaster of Paris (POP) idols.
Shelar has criticized the previous government's restrictions on POP idols, which were imposed due to environmental concerns. He stated that the restrictions were implemented without offering practical alternatives and were part of a larger conspiracy to undermine the Ganeshotsav economy, which includes idol makers, pandal decorators, puja item sellers, and artisans. According to Shelar, the campaign against POP idols was not just about pollution but an attempt to destroy the ₹25,000 crore Ganeshotsav economy.
The current government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, has taken a proactive stance to remove hurdles and ensure the smooth celebration of Ganeshotsav. The government commissioned a detailed scientific study through the Kakodkar Committee to determine the true environmental impact of POP. Based on the findings, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav approved the lifting of POP restrictions, and idol-making is now allowed as per court directions.
To further promote the festival, the government has announced several initiatives. These include launching a dedicated State Festival logo for Ganeshotsav, organizing statewide cultural programs showcasing Maharashtra's art, culture, and traditions, and hosting lecture series on the significance of Ganeshotsav and a special Spiritual Theatre Festival. The government will also provide financial aid, police security, and infrastructure to support Ganeshotsav celebrations across Maharashtra, particularly in major cities like Mumbai and Pune.
Minister Shelar has encouraged Ganesh mandals to use themes that honor the armed forces, promote social causes, highlight development milestones, and pay tribute to national heroes. He has also called for blending traditions with modernity to strengthen the culturally significant platform and promote tourism. The government aims to ensure that every citizen of the state feels connected to the celebrations. With Ganeshotsav now officially a State Festival, Maharashtra is poised to celebrate its cultural heritage on a grand scale, reinforcing the festival's role as a symbol of unity, pride, and social harmony.
