Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Mumbai Deputy Mayor Urges Traditional, Safer Ganeshotsav Celebrations
Mumbai Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi wants Ganeshotsav celebrations to be safer and more traditional.
He said very tall idols, huge decorations and extremely loud music can cause problems.
He especially warned that DJs may harm children, older people and others who dislike loud sounds.
He asked people to use clay idols and avoid immersing them in natural water bodies.
He said traditional instruments such as dhol and tasha can be used within noise limits.
Ghadi also wants the state government to create clear rules for Ganpati mandals.
These rules would cover safety, idol sizes and other festival activities.
Mumbai officials are preparing lighting, toilets, drinking water and artificial ponds at immersion sites.
The goal is to celebrate together while protecting people and the environment.
Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi urged devotees to return to traditional Ganeshotsav celebrations.
He called competitions involving tall idols, large decorations and loud music unhealthy and unnecessary.
Ghadi said DJs cause noise pollution and asked the state government to enforce noise laws.
He proposed a dedicated committee to create and annually audit standard operating procedures for mandals.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation plans artificial ponds, safety measures and prompt cleanup at immersion sites.
- Who
- Mumbai Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, Mumbai civic officials, devotees and Ganpati mandals.
- What
- Ghadi called for traditional, environmentally friendly and safer Ganeshotsav celebrations, including rules for mandals.
- When
- During Ganeshotsav, in Ghadi's first festival season as Mumbai deputy mayor.
- Where
- Mumbai, with references to festival debates across Maharashtra and Pune.
- Why
- To reduce noise pollution, prevent safety mishaps, protect the environment and preserve the festival's community-oriented traditions.
Traditional, Low-Noise Celebrations
Loud Festival Entertainment
Use of DJs and Loudspeakers
Traditional, Low-Noise Celebrations
Ghadi said DJs cause noise pollution and urged enforcement of existing noise-pollution laws, while supporting traditional dhol and tasha within legal limits.
Loud Festival Entertainment
Some festival participants enjoy dancing to loud music as part of celebrations, according to Ghadi.
Size and Scale of Public Celebrations
Traditional, Low-Noise Celebrations
Ghadi argued that competitions over the tallest idols and biggest decorations are unhealthy and unnecessary, citing two reported idol collapses that killed two devotees and injured others.
Loud Festival Entertainment
The article presents the large-idol and decoration competition as a trend among public mandals, but does not provide a formal defense from mandal representatives.
Festival Priorities
Traditional, Low-Noise Celebrations
Ghadi emphasized community togetherness, environmental conservation, safety and consideration for children and senior citizens.
Loud Festival Entertainment
Devotees may prioritize energetic, visually large and musically intense celebrations, reflecting their preference for fervent festival participation.
- Interviewee
- Sanjay Ghadi, Deputy Mayor of Mumbai
- Natural colours distributed
- The BMC distributed 25,400 litres of natural colours, more than the previous year.
- Idol material recommended
- Ghadi urged devotees to choose clay idols instead of Plaster of Paris.
- Proposed idol-height limit
- A 2008 resolution by the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganpati Samanvay Samiti called for an 18-foot cap on public Ganpati idols, but it has not been followed.
- Proposed committee
- Ghadi recommended a state-appointed committee with government, civic, police and mandal representatives to draft and audit SOPs.
- Safety preparations
- Mumbai officials reviewed major immersion sites and called for lighting, toilets, drinking water, artificial ponds and pothole repairs.
- Cleanup plan
- The solid waste management department will retrieve idol remains and clear floral and other waste on the day after immersion.