🔴 By | Sonal Sharma
Pune – More than 200 Ganesh mandals in Pune are supporting a DJ-free Ganeshotsav this year, giving a strong push to traditional celebrations and cultural programmes ahead of the festival.
The initiative seeks to shift the focus of Ganeshotsav from high-volume DJ systems towards devotion, traditional music, dhol-tasha performances and cultural activities.
🟡 Growing Support for Traditional Celebrations
The campaign has received support from a large number of Ganesh mandals across Pune. Organisers promoting the initiative say the city’s historic Ganeshotsav tradition should remain rooted in culture and community participation.
Instead of loud electronic music, participating mandals are expected to give greater importance to traditional musical performances and cultural programmes.
🟡 Police Warn Against Excessive Noise
Pune Police have also made it clear that Ganeshotsav celebrations must comply with prescribed noise limits.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has warned that sound systems operating beyond permissible limits could face action, including seizure of equipment.
The administration’s position is that there is no restriction on celebrating Ganeshotsav, but celebrations must be conducted without creating excessive noise or inconvenience for residents.
🟡 Dhol-Tasha to Remain a Major Attraction
Traditional dhol-tasha performances are expected to remain an important part of Pune’s Ganeshotsav celebrations.
For supporters of the DJ-free initiative, traditional music offers a way to preserve the distinctive character of Pune’s Ganesh festival while allowing mandals to celebrate with enthusiasm.
🟡 Debate Over DJ Restrictions Continues
While more than 200 mandals are supporting the DJ-free initiative, the issue of DJ restrictions continues to generate debate among sections of the Ganeshotsav community.
Some mandals have sought greater flexibility regarding sound systems and the duration of celebrations, arguing that Ganeshotsav is one of Maharashtra’s biggest public festivals.
The challenge before the administration will therefore be to maintain a balance between festive celebrations, cultural traditions, noise regulations and residents’ concerns.
🟡 A Quieter Ganeshotsav With the Same Spirit
With the festival approaching, the support of more than 200 mandals could make the DJ-free initiative one of the significant features of Pune Ganeshotsav 2026.
The message emerging from the campaign is clear: celebration does not have to be louder to be bigger.
