Pune: Opportunity for Ganeshotsav Mandals to Participate in ‘Excellent Ganeshotsav Mandal’ Competition till August 25
Pune, 21st August 2025: The Maharashtra State Excellent Public Ganeshotsav Mandal Competition, organized as part of the state-declared Ganesh Mahotsav, has invited entries from registered and licensed public Ganesh Mandals till August 25. Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar has appealed to mandals across the state to participate in large numbers.
The competition, free of cost, will be conducted at three levels—state, district, and taluka. Applications can be submitted online through the dedicated portal https://ganeshotsav.pldmka.co.in, which is also accessible via the official website of P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy https://www.pldeshpandekalaacademy.org. Winning mandals will be honored with first place at the taluka level, and first, second, and third places at the district and state levels.
In addition to the competition, devotees will also be able to enjoy online live darshan of Ganesha idols from across Maharashtra, including public mandals and prominent Ganesh temples, through the same portal. Citizens can also upload photographs of their home Ganesh festival or public celebrations for free publication on the platform.
“The participating mandals will be evaluated on parameters such as cultural activities, fort conservation, preservation of state and national monuments, organization of social initiatives, promotion of indigenous games, health and education projects, women empowerment, science promotion through modern technology, eco-friendly idols, and pollution-free celebrations,” said Minal Joglekar, Director of P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy.
