Mumbai, Sept 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said efforts are being made to showcase the social integration, unity, enthusiasm and collective energy generated by public Ganeshotsav to the world and to take the festival to the global stage with the objective of securing recognition as a world heritage tradition.
He was speaking at an event held at The Asiatic Society, where Fadnavis launched ‘Bappa.org’, a digital platform created to document and showcase the diverse traditions and stories associated with Lord Ganesha and Ganeshotsav. The Chief Minister uploaded the story of the Ganesh festival celebrated at his residence on the platform, marking its launch.
Fadnavis also flagged off the ‘Bappa Rath’, a state cultural tableau aimed at taking the message and traditions of Ganeshotsav to different parts of the state. A striking 12-foot-tall modak artwork, created by students and sculptors from the Sir J.J. School of Art, is the main attraction of the tableau.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would reach around 40,000 villages across Maharashtra and document the idols, traditions and unique stories associated with Ganeshotsav in different regions.
The platform will also showcase different forms of Lord Ganesha worshipped in India and abroad, experiences of devotees and the changing nature of Ganesh devotion over the years, Fadnavis said.
He noted that Lord Ganesha is worshipped not only in India but also in several Asian countries. There are temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha even in countries such as Japan. Through the digital platform, the emotional bond with Bappa, from Bal Ganesh to the tradition of public Ganeshotsav, along with regional beliefs, customs and the social character of the festival, will be presented on a wider platform.
As part of the initiative, a giant ‘modak’ will travel to different locations. The journey will be used to highlight various stories, traditions and cultural practices associated with Bappa, the Chief Minister said.
A Mission to Take Ganeshotsav Tradition to the World: Ashish Shelar
Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar said ‘Bappa.org’ would bring together ‘Ganesh stories’ associated with household and public Ganeshotsav celebrations and present them to audiences across the world.
The primary objective is to provide a common platform for the traditions, practices, beliefs and distinctive stories associated with Ganeshotsav, Shelar said.
He said the initiative seeks to effectively document the individual stories behind household and public Ganeshotsav celebrations and draw global attention, including from UNESCO, to Maharashtra’s rich cultural tradition.
Shelar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of combining heritage with development. Ganeshotsav is an important part of India’s cultural heritage, and the initiative seeks to take its associated stories and traditions to people across the world, he added.
During the programme, Shripad Ashtekar handed over a cheque of Rs 51 lakh to Chief Minister Fadnavis towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Cultural Affairs Department and eFlag Corp Pvt Ltd in the presence of Chief Minister Fadnavis.
Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Kiran Kulkarni, eFlag Corp Pvt Ltd Founder and Managing Director Shripad Ashtekar and citizens of Mumbai were present at the event.
