Ganesh Chaturthi: Devotion or Distraction?

Devotion or Distraction?

When Bal Gangadhar Tilak turned Ganesh Chaturthi into a public festival over a century ago, it was a masterstroke against colonial rule. The streets filled with people, not just in prayer, but in unity. It was resistance disguised as devotion.

Fast forward to today—every street corner has its own pandal, every night echoes with deafening speakers, every immersion poisons our waters. And yet, if you ask people why they celebrate, most won’t have an answer beyond “it’s tradition.” But is it? Or are we simply following a script written long ago, without ever questioning its relevance now?

Think about it: Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, the symbol of wisdom, silence, and balance. But what do we offer him? Noise that shatters the sleep of the elderly, processions that block ambulances, idols that choke our rivers. We call it “faith,” but isn’t it just recklessness dressed up as religion?

Wouldn’t it be truer devotion to protect real elephants—the living embodiment of Ganesh—rather than erect plaster statues that end up as rubble? Wouldn’t it be more powerful to honor the deity with compassion and quiet reflection than with blaring drums and political speeches?

Let’s be honest: politicians love it this way. Chaos is their stage. Noise and division keep us distracted. A society lost in spectacle is easier to manipulate than a society asking tough questions. And so, we fool ourselves, thinking we are celebrating culture, when in reality we are fueling commerce, pollution, and politics.

Culture should uplift, not endanger. Belief should heal, not harm. Any tradition that threatens others—be it through pollution, noise, or division—loses its moral ground. True devotion is not about how tall the idol stands, but how deeply the values of Ganesh stand within us.

So the question is simple: are we celebrating Ganesh, or are we betraying him?