Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 11 : The renowned Ganesh festival of Pune, celebrated with immense cultural pride for over 132 years, is now stepping into a more traditional and spiritually enriching direction. The growing trend of blaring deafening DJ music and inappropriate songs has drawn criticism, prompting calls for a more respectful celebration in line with cultural values.
Taking a firm stance, Punit Balan, President of the Punit Balan Group and Trustee of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, announced that Ganpati mandals indulging in loud DJ setups and vulgar songs will no longer receive financial aid from the trust and Mandals this year will only be helped if they give an affidavit of not using DJ /Dolby Music during Ganeshotsav, especially on immersion days.
This initiative was declared during an event organised by Samarth Pratishthan for the ceremonial worship of musical instruments used by their Dhol-Tasha Pathak. Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasane, and other dignitaries attended the event.
Highlighting the legacy of the festival, Balan said, "Pune's Ganeshotsav, initiated by Lokmanya Tilak and Bhausaheb Rangari, played a key role in uniting people during the freedom movement. Over the years, it has evolved with cultural performances, but recently, some mandals have taken to erecting large speaker setups and playing objectionable music -- a trend that tarnishes the festival's image. This is not aligned with our cultural values."
He stressed the need to return to the roots by celebrating Ganeshotsav in a peaceful, religious, and traditional manner. Balan added he will only support those mandals that uphold the sanctity of the festival. His decision has received widespread support from citizens across various communities.
Around 350 Ganeshotsav Mandals that received financial aid from the group are expected to support the initiative after this announcement.
The public Ganeshotsav, a tradition over 100 years old, has been officially declared as the "Maharashtra State Festival". The announcement was made in the Legislative Assembly by the State's Minister of Cultural Affairs, Advocate Ashish Shelar, on Thursday.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival that continues until Anantha Chaturdashi. This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. During Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles.