1 week ago
Ekvira Mitra Mandal Wins Thane Ganesh Darshan Competition
A Ganesh festival decoration contest was held in Thane.
It was the 38th year of the competition.
Ekvira Mitra Mandal from Mahagiri won first place.
Their display asked people to become aware before environmental damage becomes serious.
The winners used themes about social issues, nature, addiction, and national development.
Organisers said the contest encourages artists and supports local festival groups.
Judges from art, literature, and social sciences evaluated the entries independently.
The article says about ₹11 lakh will be distributed, but it also gives a conflicting ₹21 lakh prize figure for fifth place.
Ekvira Mitra Mandal of Mahagiri won the 38th Shri Ganesh Darshan Competition's top prize of ₹1,00,000.
Its decoration carried the social-awareness theme “Rakh Vhayachya Aadhi Thoda Jagun Ghya.”
The competition was organised by the Shiv Sena Thane District Branch under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's guidance.
About ₹11,00,000 in prizes and trophies will reportedly be distributed across categories, with eco-friendly Shadu clay idols receiving special preference.
The report lists the fifth-place prize as ₹21,00,000, which conflicts with the stated total prize pool and the other listed awards.
- Who
- Ekvira Mitra Mandal won the competition; the event was organised by the Shiv Sena Thane District Branch under Eknath Shinde's guidance.
- What
- The 38th annual Shri Ganesh Darshan Competition announced its winners and prizes.
- Where
- The competition covered Ganesh festival mandals across Thane district, with the winning mandal from Mahagiri.
- When
- The article identifies the event as the 2026 competition but does not provide an announcement date.
- Why
- The initiative aims to encourage artistic talent, promote social awareness and eco-friendly celebrations, and support local organisers.
Key facts
- Competition
- 38th annual Shri Ganesh Darshan Competition
- Organiser
- Shiv Sena Thane District Branch
- First prize
- ₹1,00,000 to Ekvira Mitra Mandal, Mahagiri
- Winning theme
- “Rakh Vhayachya Aadhi Thoda Jagun Ghya”
- Reported prize pool
- Approximately ₹11,00,000, plus trophies
- Evaluation
- An independent panel drawn from art, literature, and social sciences
- Additional support
- A workshop is planned for participating groups across Thane district
Quotes
Eknath Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and guide of the competition
“Ganeshotsav serves as a platform to encourage artists, and this competition is a genuine attempt to offer them an 'incentive bonus.' To further build on this enthusiasm and support the mandals, a special workshop will soon be conducted for all participating groups across Thane district following the jury's expert recommendations.”
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