Stories
Founder Slams Excessive Ads at Mumbai Ganesh Utsav: 'Brand Cannot Be Bigger Than Devotees'
- •Shruti H Chaturvedii criticized the growing presence of brand advertisements at Mumbai's Ganesh Utsav pandals in a LinkedIn post.
- •She argued that ads are taking over the festival, covering gates, pillars, and facades, making it difficult for ordinary devotees.
- •Chaturvedii stated that crowded pandals are the wrong place for ads, as negative experiences can be associated with brands.
- •She urged brands and mandals to focus on the deity and devotee experience, suggesting meaningful collaborations over intrusive promotions.
- •The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also asked organizers to avoid placing ads that block pedestrians.
Key Questions Answered
Shruti H Chaturvedii criticized pandals on LinkedIn for allowing excessive brand advertisements to take over religious spaces. She argued that banners covering gates, pillars, and facades distract attention from Lord Ganesh and negatively impact ordinary devotees who are already struggling through heavy crowds.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has instructed festival organizers to avoid placing advertisements on roads and pavements in ways that block or inconvenience pedestrians.
Social media users are divided on the issue. While some supported the criticism against the commercialization of spirituality, others pointed out that some thoughtful brand partnerships—such as campaigns by Pidilite or Welspun—can be useful and beneficial for devotees.
