Cultural programmes will be organised in all 36 districts of Maharashtra, 10 states outside Maharashtra, and one country outside India during Ganeshotsav. FILE PIC
All government departments in Maharashtra should undertake cultural, social, environment-friendly, and awareness programmes through their subordinate offices, establishments, and corporations to celebrate Ganeshotsav 2026 on a larger scale as the state's âState Festival', Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar said on Monday.
The state government has issued a Government Resolution directing departments to implement various initiatives across Maharashtra. The programmes will seek to increase public participation in Ganeshotsav from villages to cities and promote the festival with the objective of securing a place for it on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
A total of 480 outstanding public Ganeshotsav mandals across the state will receive prizes worth around Rs 1.5 crore at taluka, district and state levels. The prize distribution ceremony for state and district-level first-prize winners will be organised by the PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, while ceremonies for second and third-prize winners at the taluka and district levels will be organised through the respective district collectorates.
Cultural programmes will be organised in all 36 districts of Maharashtra, 10 states outside Maharashtra, and one country outside India during Ganeshotsav. Five-day programmes will be held in New Delhi, while Mumbai will host cultural programmes for eight days. Public Ganeshotsav will also be promoted at national and international levels in collaboration with local organisations.
An independent portal will be developed to provide online darshan of major Ganesh temples and prominent public Ganeshotsav celebrations. A digital platform will also be created to allow citizens to upload photographs of their household Ganeshotsav celebrations.
Information on the history and traditions of Ganeshotsav, the Ashtavinayak temples, eco-friendly celebrations, and various government initiatives will be widely disseminated through the media and social media. The logo of the âState Festival' will also be displayed on the state government's website.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Film City in Goregaon will organise a Ganapati-themed reels competition at the divisional and state levels. A Marathi film that effectively portrays traditions and practices associated with Ganeshotsav will also be honoured.
The state will undertake extensive awareness campaigns on shadu (clay) idols, seed Ganpati idols, collection and recycling of nirmalya, plastic-free celebrations, LED decorations, and solar-powered pandals.
Gram panchayats, municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats will undertake cleanliness drives, tree plantation, and construction of artificial immersion ponds. Awareness campaigns on water conservation will also be conducted to ensure that natural water sources are not adversely affected during the festival.
Information on durva grass, flowers, naivedya items, and organic agricultural products will be promoted with the participation of local farmers. Women's self-help groups and cooperative institutions will be encouraged to sell modaks, prasad items, and local products.
Promotional initiatives will also be undertaken for micro, small, and medium enterprises and artisans involved in making Ganesh idols, makhars, decorations, and puja materials.
Entrepreneurship training workshops on clay idols, makhars, decorations, and digital design will be organised for young people. Schools will be encouraged to hold workshops on making Ganpati idols from clay, along with essay-writing, elocution, and cultural activities.
Colleges will be encouraged to organise seminars, lectures, and innovation exhibitions on âGanesh and Science'.
Engineering students will also be involved in creating innovative robotics-themed tableaux and promoting awareness about eco-friendly decorations.
Free health check-up camps, blood donation drives, and CPR training for emergency cardiac situations will be promoted at crowded locations. The government has also directed authorities to arrange medical aid centres and volunteers, conduct food safety inspections, and undertake awareness campaigns against food adulteration.
For devotees with disabilities, emphasis will be placed on ramps, wheelchairs, sign-language aarti, touch darshan, and accessible entry facilities.
All district collectors have been directed to constitute taluka and district-level committees for the outstanding Ganeshotsav mandal competition. The committees will inspect applications through physical visits, undertake evaluation, and complete the final selection process.
District collectorates will also be responsible for coordinating illumination at key locations, immersion processions, and local programmes, as well as publicity. The Home Department has been directed to make arrangements for festival security, while the Public Works Department will ensure safe immersion routes, signboards, barricading, and pedestrian facilities.
The Director of the PL Deshpande Maharashtra State Academy of Art, Mumbai, has been entrusted with coordinating various competitions. The Director of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs has been appointed as the nodal officer for coordinating cultural programmes organised through ministries and government offices.
Shelar directed the administrative departments concerned to issue necessary instructions and ensure the successful implementation of all activities planned as part of Ganeshotsav as the âState Festival'.
