Ganesh mandals in Mumbai allowed to invite advertisers this year

Cuffeparadecha Raja’s Ganesh idol. Pic/Bipin Kokate

As a lot of Ganesh and Navratri mandals in the city have exhausted their funds and savings on various health camps they conducted during the pandemic, the BMC has allowed them to invite sponsors for commercial advertisements. This was suspended last year after the COVID-19 hit.

According to a new circular issued by the BMC, mandals have been allowed to use commercial hoardings and banners. Ganesh mandals can put up temporary gates at their entrances, with the names of the sponsors and donors, along with their own members on the sides, stated the circular. They have also been allowed to put up ads on footpaths, but have to ensure there is no hassle to the pedestrians. The BMC has mandated advertisement of physical distancing and use of masks and sanitisers for COVID-19, and other social messages.

Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal along with many others did not celebrate the festival last year and instead held various health camps. As this year many will be worshipping the idol at their respective pandals, they were in the need of funds.

Naresh Dahibaokar, president of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, said, "We appealed to the BMC to allow us to take sponsorships from various commercial organisations that are willing to help us. As majority of the mandals exhausted their bank balance, owing to health camps, medical programmes and several other help during the pandemic, the commercial ads will help them stay afloat. The BMC has agreed to it and allowed us to display ads."

The mandals had also requested permission for devotees to visit the pandals this Ganeshotsav and relax certain restrictions on the immersion day, but the government reiterated that only online darshan will be allowed.