Pune, 18 July 2025: The Cultural Affairs Department of Maharashtra, in collaboration with the P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, has announced the launch of the "Maharashtra State Best Public Ganesh Mandal Competition 2025." The competition is open to all registered and licensed public Ganesh mandals across the state, and participation is completely free of cost.
Applications for the competition can be submitted online via the Academy’s official website between July 20 and August 20. The initiative aims to encourage mandals to go beyond traditional festivities and engage in meaningful contributions such as cultural programming, heritage conservation, promotion of historic forts and monuments, eco-friendly celebrations, noise-free events, and social welfare activities.
During the upcoming Ganesh festival, which begins on August 27, district-level committees formed under the supervision of local District Collector offices will inspect and evaluate the participating mandals. Their recommendations will determine which mandals proceed to the state-level round.
From the districts of Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Pune, and Thane, three mandals each will be shortlisted. One mandal from each of the remaining districts will also be selected, creating a pool of 44 finalists for the state-level competition.
Meenal Joglekar, Director of the Kala Academy, encouraged mandals to apply through the official portal and advised them to contact their respective District Collector offices for assistance.
Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister, stated that the top three winners at the state level will be awarded ₹5 lakh, ₹2.5 lakh, and ₹1 lakh respectively, along with certificates. District-level winners will receive ₹25,000 and certificates. He urged mandals across the state to participate in large numbers and contribute meaningfully to the festival’s evolving cultural and social fabric.
