Ganeshotsav is an integral part of the cultural, social and public life of Maharashtra. Lokmanya Tilak worked to bring together various sections of society through the public celebration of Ganeshotsav. The Maharashtra Government declared Ganeshotsav as a ‘State Festival’ on August 14, 2025, which has doubled the enthusiasm surrounding the festival. However, while celebrating this festival, it is necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, compliance with the law, environmental conservation and social responsibility. To ensure that citizens do not face inconvenience because of our happiness, it is the need of the hour to celebrate Ganeshotsav in an eco-friendly manner, while maintaining devotion, discipline and social awareness.
Message of an Eco-Friendly Ganeshotsav through the State Festival – After the State Government declared Ganeshotsav as a ‘State Festival’, all government departments are making efforts to ensure that this year the festival is celebrated on a wider scale, in a planned manner and with public participation. To take Maharashtra’s rich folk art, folk traditions and cultural heritage beyond the boundaries of the state, special cultural programmes have been organised in various cities of the country by the Directorate of Cultural Affairs under the State Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs, under ‘Shri Ganesh in Folk Art’ and ‘Maha Ganeshotsav – Maharashtra’s State Festival’. These programmes will be held in Chennai, Silvassa, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
To convey the message of an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav, programmes promoting various art forms, culture and folk traditions of the state, encouragement to artists who make Shadu clay idols, the ‘Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idol Painting Festival’, conservation of handmade paper art, programmes for school and college students, handicraft exhibitions, social awareness and special initiatives are being implemented by the State Government.
Grand Maha Ganesh Idol Workshop – Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through ‘Mann Ki Baat’, appealed to people to celebrate an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav. To spread this message widely, an ‘Eco-Friendly Maha Ganesh Idol Workshop’ was organised in Navi Mumbai by the Environment and Climate Change Department. More than 10,000 school students and citizens simultaneously made eco-friendly Ganesh idols.
Preference for Clay Idols – Extensive public awareness about an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav is being emphasised across the state. To maintain ecological balance, citizens need to give preference to Ganesh idols made of Shadu clay or natural clay. Along with idol immersion, serious attention also needs to be given to the collection of Nirmalya, waste management and cleanliness of the mandap area. Conservation of Water Resources – To prevent pollution of rivers, lakes and other water sources, idol collection and ‘Murtidan’ initiatives are being implemented across the state by the administration. Citizens and Ganeshotsav mandals should cooperate with this initiative. From an environmental perspective, immersing household idols at home or using alternative arrangements such as artificial ponds and tanks is useful. Through this, the message of protecting water resources can be conveyed while maintaining devotion.
Let us celebrate a DJ-free festival and celebrate our culture – Against the backdrop of this year’s Ganeshotsav, citizens, along with the administration, are taking a positive stand for DJ- and laser-free celebrations in various parts of the state. There have been several instances where excessively high sound levels have posed risks to small children, pregnant women, senior citizens and heart patients. It is necessary to follow prescribed sound limits so that citizens are not inconvenienced because of our celebrations. By giving emphasis to traditional dhol-tasha, lezim, jhanj groups, powadas, Shiv-era arts, folk dances and performances of various folk arts, folk traditions can be preserved. It will also provide employment opportunities to local folk artists. This can give Ganeshotsav the identity of ‘Let us avoid high-intensity sound and celebrate our culture.’
Laser-Free Ganeshotsav – The extremely intense light from lasers has caused injuries to the eyes of many people, while some have even lost their eyesight. Therefore, it is essential to consider the safety of citizens while arranging attractive lighting. Safe lighting arrangements should be given preference by avoiding the use of lasers. This year, preventive measures have also been taken regarding the use of laser lights along with DJs. It is the responsibility of every mandal to ensure that citizens’ health is not endangered while enhancing the attraction of the festival.
Effective Presentation of Social Messages through Ganeshotsav – Ganeshotsav mandals are effective mediums for social awareness. Maximum mandals should convey messages to citizens through tableaux based on subjects such as information about government schemes, blood donation, health check-ups, cleanliness, tree plantation, women and child safety, de-addiction and traffic discipline. The thought ‘My Ganpati – My Social Responsibility’ can be conveyed by every mandal.
A People’s Movement for an Eco-Friendly Ganeshotsav – Through municipal corporations, Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats across the state, planning and public awareness for an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav are being promoted. Along with constructive concepts such as ‘One Village, One Ganpati’, awareness is being created at the village level regarding the use of clay, metal, marble or other alternative idols for household Ganesh idols, the use of artificial immersion sites, collection of idols and Nirmalya, and proper management. Public participation by ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, teachers, students and Gram Panchayats is giving a wider form to this initiative.
Effective Preparation for an Eco-Friendly Ganeshotsav in Kolhapur District – The Kolhapur Zilla Parishad has been implementing the eco-friendly Ganeshotsav initiative since around 2015. Considering the growing response from citizens, plans have again been made for effective implementation of the initiative this year. Families and Ganeshotsav mandals in the district have been appealed to cooperate with the administration in idol donation, Nirmalya collection and preventing water pollution. For effective implementation of the initiative, taluka-wise nodal officers have been appointed, and monitoring and guidance are being provided in coordination with Block Development Officers.
In 2025, a total of 2,93,729 Ganesh idols were collected in Kolhapur district, including 2,91,319 household idols and 2,410 public Ganesh idols. Along with this, Nirmalya was collected through 385 garbage collection vehicles and 1,352 trolleys. This year too, the people of Kolhapur are ready for an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav.
Youth should think about the future along with the festival – During the festival, offences may be registered due to violations of DJ rules, disputes, fights, unruly behaviour on roads, violations of traffic rules, consumption of alcohol and hooliganism in public places, harassment of women, and objectionable posts on social media. Getting involved in such offences can affect the future of young people. These matters may be considered during character verification processes required for admission to educational courses, education abroad, government jobs or other opportunities. Therefore, young people should take special care to ensure that they do not violate the law in the excitement of the moment. Special caution is necessary to ensure that ‘one day of excitement does not become a lifetime of difficulty.’
Cooperation with the Administration – It is the responsibility of every mandal to follow the instructions issued by the administration regarding traffic arrangements, procession routes, time schedules, sound limits, fire safety and crowd management. For the safety of women, children and senior citizens, it is necessary to arrange volunteers, help desks and emergency contact systems. Coordination between the administration and Ganeshotsav mandals will make the festival safer, more disciplined and enjoyable.
Give Priority to Cleanliness During the Festival – Maintaining cleanliness around Ganesh mandaps, procession routes and immersion sites is the responsibility of Ganesh mandals and every citizen participating in the festival. It is necessary to promote cleanliness by properly disposing of Nirmalya, plastic bags, bottles and other waste generated during the festival. Everyone should resolve to keep the surroundings clean both during the arrival of Bappa and at the time of immersion.
Let Us Create an Ideal Ganeshotsav for Maharashtra – Maharashtra’s Ganeshotsav, celebrated with public participation, has a great cultural tradition. The festival has inherited the idea of social transformation. There is a need to add environmental conservation, citizen safety and social responsibility to this tradition. The State Government is emphasising an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav through various initiatives such as cultural programmes based on folk arts, clay Ganesh idol workshops, competitions for outstanding Ganesh mandals, decoration competitions and other activities. Importance is also being given to pollution-free surroundings, cleanliness, social work and constructive initiatives. Along with environmental conservation, various initiatives are being implemented to preserve traditional arts, promote local arts and provide employment opportunities to artisans in rural areas.
Ganeshotsav is not merely a festival; it is a platform that teaches folk culture, social unity, environmental conservation and responsibility. While celebrating our happiness, it is the need of the hour for each one of us to take even a small but responsible and sincere step in a positive direction so that our festival also becomes auspicious for the environment.
While maintaining the enthusiasm of devotion to Shri Gauri-Ganesh, preserving social awareness and securing the future of the coming generations, let us celebrate this year’s Ganeshotsav in an eco-friendly manner and double the joy of this festival…!
