13 September,2026 11:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The competition is organised by the Maharashtra Kala Academy under the Department of Cultural Affairs. Representational Pic/File
The Maharashtra government's Ganeshotsav 2026 competition has received 432 entries from across the state, with Thane district recording the highest number of applications at 52. The competition has also gone global this year, with entries received from five countries for the newly introduced international category, an official statement said.
Thane district recorded the highest number of applications, with 52 Ganesh mandals applying for the competition.
The international category has also received entries from countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Nigeria and Singapore. The participation from overseas is expected to give Maharashtra's state festival a wider global identity, officials said.
The competition is organised by the Maharashtra Kala Academy under the Department of Cultural Affairs.
The competition, which was expanded to the taluka level last year, has been extended to the national and international levels for the first time this year.
The deadline for submitting applications for the national and international categories is September 25.
Participating mandals at these levels are required to submit photographs, including geo-tagged images, of their Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations and related cultural activities conducted over the past year, along with photographs of this year's festival.
Applications have already been received from several cities across India for the national category.
The state government has declared Ganeshotsav a state festival, recognising its traditional and cultural importance.
The competition has undergone several changes since last year, and participation by Ganesh mandals and registered organisations has been increasing each year.
The judging process will include visits by taluka- and district-level committees. Judges will assess participating mandals on several parameters, including documentation, year-round activities, reports, photographs and videos.
The assessment will also cover cultural competitions, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, facilities for devotees, and activities for students, women and senior citizens.
The competition will also assess efforts towards environmentally friendly celebrations.
These include the use of eco-friendly Ganesh idols and decorations, measures to reduce pollution and initiatives aimed at maintaining a clean environment.
The judging process will be conducted online, with judges required to submit their assessments using geo-tagged photographs. The system is intended to improve transparency and make monitoring of the competition more effective.
Cash prizes have been announced for winners at different levels.
The first-place taluka-level winner will receive Rs 25,000.
At the district level, the first three winners will receive Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively.
For the state, national and international categories, the top three winners will receive:
- First prize: Rs 7.5 lakh
- Second prize: Rs 5 lakh
- Third prize: Rs 2.5 lakh
A dedicated online portal for home and public Ganpati darshan will open from September 14.
The portal will allow public Ganesh mandals to offer free live darshan of their idols to devotees across the world.
Families celebrating Ganeshotsav at home can also upload photographs of their Ganpati idols for people to view online.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar has appealed to Ganesh mandals and citizens to participate enthusiastically in the various activities being organised as part of the state festival.
The expansion of the competition to national and international levels is expected to further promote Maharashtra's Ganeshotsav traditions, cultural heritage and community initiatives beyond the state.
