News18 Lokmat’s ‘Bappa Morya Re’ event showcased a vibrant blend of cultural and political engagement during the Ganesh Festival, which concluded with the visarjan on September 12.

The celebrations drew an impressive gathering of celebrities and leaders seeking blessings from Lord Ganesha, becoming a focal point of Maharashtra’s cultural and social landscape.

The event saw the presence of key political figures, including:
• Union Minister Piyush Goyal
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
• Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
• State Congress President Nana Patole
• NCP leader Supriya Sule
• Sanjay Raut from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena
• Prominent State Cabinet Ministers like Girish Mahajan and Udai Samant
These leaders joined the celebrations to pay homage to Lord Ganesha, emphasizing the festival’s significance in fostering unity and community spirit.
The event also attracted luminaries from the Marathi entertainment industry, including:
• Veteran actors Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, and Supriya Pilgaonkar
• Popular stars like Swapnil Joshi, Amey Wagh, Adinath Kothare, and Prajakta Mali
• Other notable figures such as Rucha Vaidya, Gashmeer Mahajani, Adesh Bandekar, Vandana Gupte, Aditya Nair, Arun Kadam, Prasad Oak, and Irina Rudakova
Their participation added to the festive atmosphere and highlighted the event’s significance in Maharashtra’s cultural calendar.

A key highlight of this year’s celebrations was the Pandal Competition, bringing together communities from seven major cities across Maharashtra, including Nagpur, Nashik, Pune, Mumbai, Sambhajinagar, Amravati, and Kolhapur. Each city showcased creatively designed Ganesh pandals, with themes ranging from traditional depictions to modern concepts addressing social issues, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage. The competition fostered a friendly rivalry, with pandals judged on artistic merit, eco-friendliness, innovative themes, and community impact.

News18 Lokmat’s ‘Bappa Morya Re’ was co-presented by Oxyrich and Finolex Pipes & Fittings, and co-powered by Reliance Industries Ltd. The event received support from several key partners, including:
• SVC Co-Operative Bank Ltd. (Banking Partner)
• Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (Education Partner)
• Special partners like Society Tea and Denver

The ‘Bappa Morya Re’ event exemplifies the rich cultural tapestry of Maharashtra, blending the festive spirit of Ganeshotsav with the engagement of political and entertainment figures. It serves as a reminder of the importance of community and cultural celebration in fostering unity and progress.