Dharma Droham: From Tilak’s Vision to Today’s Distorted Vinayaka Chavithi Celebrations

Dharma Droham: From Tilak’s Vision to Today’s Distorted Vinayaka Chavithi Celebrations

Vinayaka Chavithi, or Ganesh Chaturthi, is one of the most celebrated festivals across India. What many devotees often forget, however, is that this festival was not always observed in such a grand, public manner. It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a revolutionary freedom fighter, who in 1893 transformed Ganesh Chaturthi from a household ritual into a large-scale public celebration. His aim was simple but profound: to unite Hindus across caste, region, and community lines in the face of the British “divide and rule” strategy. Tilak understood that religion and culture had the power to bind people together. By bringing Ganesh idols into public spaces, encouraging collective prayers, and organizing cultural programs, he created a platform for national unity and social reform. The Ganesh pandal became not just a devotional space but also a political tool of resistance. How Far We Have Drifted from Tilak’s Vision Fast forward to today, and the contrast is stark. While Ganesh Chaturthi is still cele…