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By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 7:55:54 pm

The BJP’s Ganesha Gambit

Pune’s Ganeshotsav has become an enormous civic and political stage, and the ruling party has proved adept at occupying it. Pune: The city’s Ganeshotsav is entering its final phase, but the festival has already demonstrated something beyond its extraordinary crowds and familiar spectacle: the extent to which it has become a political stage. This year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has left a particularly visible imprint on the festivities, using an event that reaches deep into the city’s...

The BJP’s Ganesha Gambit

Pune’s Ganeshotsav has become an enormous civic and political stage, and the ruling party has proved adept at occupying it. Pune: The city’s Ganeshotsav is entering its final phase, but the festival has already demonstrated something beyond its extraordinary crowds and familiar spectacle: the extent to which it has become a political stage. This year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has left a particularly visible imprint on the festivities, using an event that reaches deep into the city’s neighbourhoods as an opportunity for public outreach. The political appropriation of the festival has not, however, been without a counter-current. Demands were raised for curbs on noise pollution, loudspeakers and the volume of dhol-tasha performances. The argument was not against Ganeshotsav itself, but for moderation - notably, a complete ban on DJ music and limits on the number of dhol and tasha instruments used by performing troupes. Familiar Troubles The festival’s reality has been rather different. Major roads have been occupied by mandaps. Processions celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesha have unfolded amid punishing noise. DJ music, while subject to restrictions, has continued. Traffic congestion has become a familiar feature of the festival, with the movement of political leaders adding another layer to the city’s already strained roads. The Peth areas have remained crowded deep into the night. The Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple has drawn enormous crowds for darshan from the opening day. From the old city to housing societies and neighbourhood mandals, Ganeshotsav touches virtually every part of Pune. For a political party seeking a direct connection with citizens, few occasions offer such a ready-made network of people, institutions and local influencers. The BJP enters this festival with an unusually formidable organisational base. It has two MPs, seven MLAs and more than 100 corporators in Pune. Murlidhar Mohol, one of the city’s MPs, is a Union Minister of State. Chandrakant Patil is a Cabinet minister in the Maharashtra government, while Madhuri Misal is a Minister of State. The party’s presence also extends into the festival’s organisational architecture. Its influence is visible across numerous mandals, large and small. BJP MLA Hemant Rasane is General Secretary of the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust. Kunal Tilak, a member of Lokmanya Tilak’s family, is a BJP corporator. The political and cultural histories of Pune therefore intersect in ways that are difficult to ignore. The BJP’s senior leadership has also made the most of the occasion. National President Nitin Nabin visited Pune to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the city before and during the festival. Such visits are about more than religious observance. In a festival watched by millions and embedded in the city’s social life, political visibility comes almost automatically. There is also talk in Pune that the BJP provided substantial financial support to Dhol-Lezim troupes and their organisers, with claims that some major mandals received financial backing as well. These claims would require independent verification, but the perception itself points to the depth of the political contest around Ganeshotsav. BJP workers, according to local observers, have also sought to make their presence more conspicuous than that of festivities organised by housing societies. Useful Expedient The festival arrives at a politically useful moment for the BJP. The party has faced disquiet on several fronts. Young people have been agitated over the paper-leak controversy. Broader public dissatisfaction has been voiced over inflation and unemployment, while government policies relating to ethanol and charges associated with UPI transactions have also generated criticism. While a political party can defend a policy in a press conference and advertise its achievements, during Ganeshotsav, its workers can be physically present in neighbourhoods, among processions, mandals, cultural groups and devotees. Politics thus becomes less about argument and more about visibility. That is the BJP’s advantage in Pune. Ganeshotsav, after all, is not simply a sequence of religious rituals. It is an elaborate civic network involving local organisers, volunteers, cultural groups, businesses, residents and political representatives. Whoever has influence over that network acquires a powerful channel of communication with the city. The BJP appears to understand this particularly well. Its strength in Pune’s electoral politics has been reinforced by a presence that extends beyond elections and into the institutions and social spaces that organise public life. The irony is that the very scale of the festival that makes it politically attractive also magnifies the civic costs. The political value of Ganeshotsav and the civic burden it creates are therefore two sides of the same phenomenon. For Pune, the larger question is not whether politics has entered Ganeshotsav. It has done so for decades. The more consequential question is whether the festival’s extraordinary social capital will remain primarily a vehicle for political outreach or whether the same influence can be used to reconcile celebration with the ordinary civic needs of the city. For the moment, the BJP seems to have understood the first proposition better than most.

Seven Sisters: A Journey to Northeast India

Writer: Archita Redkar
Archita Redkar
Aug 6
3 min read

From the Eastern Himalayas to the Brahmaputra River, the Seven Sisters preserve some of India's richest ecological and cultural heritage.

Northeast India is one of the most captivating and culturally vibrant regions of the country. Popularly known as the "Seven Sisters," it comprises Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, colourful traditions, and warm hospitality, the region offers an unforgettable experience. Unlike many popular tourist destinations, it remains relatively untouched, making it ideal for travellers seeking nature, adventure, history, and authentic culture.


Surrounded by Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal, Northeast India serves as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. The Eastern Himalayas, the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, dense forests, rolling hills, fertile valleys, and abundant wildlife make it one of the world's richest ecological regions. Its national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and rare flora and fauna make the region a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.


The region also has a remarkable historical legacy. Over the centuries, tribal communities and ancient kingdoms flourished here, preserving their distinct identities and traditions. Historic trade routes linked Northeast India with Tibet, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia, fostering cultural and commercial exchange. The Ahom dynasty in Assam, Tripura's royal heritage, Manipur's ancient Kangla Fort, and the centuries-old Buddhist monasteries of Arunachal Pradesh remain enduring symbols of this rich past.


Each of the Seven Sisters has a distinct identity. Arunachal Pradesh, the Land of the Rising Sun, is known for its Himalayan scenery, serene monasteries, colourful tribal villages, and pristine valleys. Tawang Monastery, Sela Pass, Ziro Valley, and Namdapha National Park are among its best-known attractions, drawing trekkers, campers, and wildlife enthusiasts.


Assam, the gateway to Northeast India, is renowned for sprawling tea gardens, the Brahmaputra River, and Kaziranga National Park, home to the one-horned rhinoceros. Kamakhya Temple attracts pilgrims, while Majuli, one of the world's largest inhabited river islands, showcases traditional Assamese culture and spirituality. Its tea estates remain central to the state's identity.


Meghalaya, the Abode of Clouds, is known for mist-covered hills, spectacular waterfalls, crystal-clear rivers, fascinating caves, and living root bridges crafted by local communities over generations. Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, Nohkalikai Falls, and the traditions of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities define its appeal.


Manipur, the Jewel of India, is celebrated for its scenic landscapes and artistic heritage. Among its highlights are Loktak Lake with its floating islands, Keibul Lamjao National Park—the world's only floating national park and home to the endangered Sangai deer—Kangla Fort, and the graceful Manipuri classical dance, which together reflect the state's natural beauty, history, and culture.


Mizoram is a tranquil land of rolling green hills and charming villages, ideal for travellers seeking authentic local culture away from commercial tourism. Mizo hospitality, vibrant traditions, music, strong community spirit, and the colourful Cheraw bamboo dance reflect its rich cultural heritage.


Nagaland is celebrated for its vibrant tribal culture and the internationally acclaimed Hornbill Festival, where Naga tribes showcase traditional dances, music, handicrafts, cuisine, and customs. Its mountains, traditional villages, colourful textiles, and indigenous way of life offer a cultural experience unlike anywhere else in India.


Tripura blends royal heritage with natural beauty. Ujjayanta Palace, the unique Neermahal Palace built in the middle of a lake, ancient temples, lush forests, and the influence of both Bengali and indigenous tribal cultures make it a fascinating destination.


Home to more than 200 tribal and ethnic communities, the Seven Sisters celebrate remarkable linguistic and cultural diversity. Traditional attire includes handwoven shawls, colourful mekhela chadors, tribal skirts, jackets, and intricate jewellery, while weaving remains integral to everyday life, its patterns reflecting community identity and history.


Music, dance, and festivals are integral to the region's cultural life. Bihu marks Assam's agricultural cycle, while Manipuri dance symbolises devotion and classical excellence. Meghalaya's traditional dances, Mizoram's Cheraw bamboo dance, and Nagaland's tribal performances preserve centuries-old traditions. Festivals such as Hornbill, Wangala, Sangai, Chapchar Kut, Losar, and Kharchi Puja celebrate faith, harvest, music, and culture.


Northeast Indian cuisine reflects the region's close relationship with nature. Rice is the staple, accompanied by vegetables, fish, meat, bamboo shoots, fresh herbs, and fermented ingredients. Assamese Thali, Bamboo Shoot Curry, Smoked Pork, Jadoh from Meghalaya, Eromba from Manipur, and other tribal delicacies showcase its distinctive flavours.


The region's diverse topography creates varied climates, from Arunachal Pradesh's cold winters to the milder weather of Assam and Tripura and Meghalaya's heavy monsoon rains. October to April is the best time to visit for sightseeing and outdoor activities.


The Seven Sisters combine natural beauty, rich heritage, and vibrant cultures in one of India's most rewarding destinations. Whether you seek nature, wildlife, history, adventure, photography, or culture, this remarkable region promises an unforgettable journey.


 (The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at globalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)

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