Personal Blogs
If the aim of the Sarvajanik Ganapati Utsav (सार्वजनिक गणपती उत्सव) was to unite Hindus, then it has largely achieved its purpose. It gave Hindus their own public festival where the masses could participate in celebrations, without having to join similar processions from other religions (e.g., Muharram). History shows several references where peaceful Hindu processions were interrupted, and this festival became a strong cultural response.
Over time, however, the festival has taken a somewhat different direction. The original purpose of uniting Hindus may have been fulfilled to a large extent, but today it is often shaped more by popular culture and fashion than by community building. Many mandals, especially in bigger cities, now spend lavishly on setups that have only a short life. For example, crores of rupees are spent on Dekhava (देखावा) - elaborate decorations and structures that are dismantled after ten days. Art and culture certainly have an important place in society, but there should perhaps be a healthy balance. Moving from traditional decorations to light shows, motorized displays, and now AI-powered attractions raises the question of how much is really necessary.
If excess funds are available, they could also be used to strengthen the original aim of uniting Hindus across all parts of Bharat, rather than being concentrated mainly in Pune or Mumbai. A 72+ hour procession with DJs and LED displays may add excitement, but it does not always contribute to building stronger communities. Many of the songs played are popular but sometimes meaningless or even vulgar (अश्लील) in nature. If it is only the beats that matter, then why not give more importance to our Paramparik Dhol-Tasha (परंपरिक ढोल-ताशा) or similar local instruments, which carry much deeper cultural value?
If supporting the local economy is also an aim, then it would be more beneficial if the funds reached a larger group of people rather than only a few individuals who charge lakhs of rupees for DJ vehicles. The same money could support hundreds of traditional drummers and artists who keep our heritage alive.
There are still many regions in India where even peaceful processions are not possible. Energy and money could be directed towards making such gatherings safe and inclusive everywhere. After all, Decentralisation has always been one of the natural features of Hindu traditions.
Recently, I was watching Lalbaugcha Raja (लालबागचा राजा)’s Atyadhunik Tarafa (अत्याधुनिक तराफा) - an ultra-modern setup built in Gujarat - and it did not work as well as expected. This is not about Gujarat itself, but about how difficult it can be to create something truly meaningful when the focus shifts too much towards spectacle. At the same time, there are excellent examples of how Ganapati festivals can be managed - coming not from Pune or Mumbai, but from places like Dhule (धुळे) and Akola (अकोला). There, processions were carried outwithout DJs or electronic music, only with traditional instruments. In some places, immersions were done in artificial water tanks (कृत्रिम जलतलाव) to avoid polluting rivers and lakes.
I remain convinced that public festivals like Ganesh Utsav (गणेश उत्सव) are essential. They give youth and the masses a space to channel their energy. But it would be even more meaningful if such celebrations uplifted individual souls, maintained peace in society, and respected nature. Dancing to DJs or indulging in alcohol and tobacco may bring momentary fun, but it does not fully match the deeper purpose of the festival.
गणपती बाप्पा मोरया, पुढच्या वर्षी लवकर या।