The BJP-led Maharashtra government has announced financial aid for bhajani mandals during Ganeshotsav, drawing parallels with Mamata Banerjee’s Durga Puja grants.
The announcement, made on Friday, comes just weeks before Ganesh Chaturthi, which has recently been accorded the status of a state festival. The decision is being seen as both a cultural initiative and a political maneuver. While supporters argue that state funding enriches festivals and sustains traditional livelihoods, critics question whether such grants constitute a misuse of taxpayers’ money. One social media user remarked that if the government can subsidize Haj pilgrims, extending support to Ganesh festival organizers should not be controversial. Others, however, dismissed the move as a calculated political tool.
Ganeshotsav, popularized by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak in the late 19th century as a vehicle for social and political unity, has today become Maharashtra’s most prominent festival, particularly in Mumbai. The city alone sees nearly 150,000 idols immersed in rivers and the sea each year, sparking environmental concerns. Government officials have insisted that this year’s grants and initiatives aim not just to preserve cultural heritage but also to make celebrations more sustainable and socially inclusive.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Samanvay Samiti, which has overseen the festival for 44 years in coordination with civic authorities and police, expressed dissatisfaction with the grant structure. Its president, Naresh Dahibavkar, said the allocation was inadequate given the costs involved. “A mandal has to spend at least ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore on organizing the festival. It would have been better if the government had consulted long-standing mandals. We contribute to society year-round, not just during Ganeshotsav,” he told PTI. He also pointed out that immersion day traffic could worsen this year, as Anant Chaturdashi falls on a Saturday when non-government employees will still be working.
Despite these concerns, the government has rolled out a series of measures to enhance the grandeur of the festival. These include cultural programmes, lecture series, spiritual theatre performances, drone shows, commemorative postal stamps, beautification projects, and elaborate illumination displays. A dedicated portal has been launched to allow citizens to witness public and household festivities online. Competitions for Ganesh mandals have also been expanded to the taluka level, with prize money significantly increased to encourage participation.
Culture Minister Ashish Shelar emphasized that the ₹25,000 grants would help mandals purchase instruments and sustain their musical traditions. “This is not just financial support but a way to strengthen cultural roots and ensure inclusivity,” he said.
Ganesh Chaturthi begins on August 27, and the government hopes the new measures will amplify the scale and vibrancy of the festival. Still, the long-term impact—whether it fosters cultural unity or fuels political controversy—remains an open question.
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