Some keep it simple,noise-free

Some mandals,though,have taken it upon themselves to do some social service as well. One is organising a lunch for visually challenged people.

A volunteer at Shiv Tej Mandal in Kondhwa,Ganesh Hirawale,says,“We have been celebrating the festival for 20 years. We usually do not portray any social issues,but we had done so in the last couple of years. This year,owing to lack of funds,we kept decorations simple.”

A lot of smaller mandals have not adopted social causes as pandal theme,but are not playing loud music. “We are keeping it quiet with only devotional songs playing,” said Guru Desale at Nav Jivan Mitra Mandal in Wanowrie.

“We stopped playing loud music last year to keep us from disturbing people in the area that is already overcrowded due to traffic,” he said. Desale added that there are mandals that do play loud music and are doing so this year too.”

“We wanted to silently prove a point to them that this is not the way to celebrate. Whether they wish to change or not is their decision,but we have started it this year.”

The same is the case with bigger mandals in Camp.

Dastur Meher Tarun Mandal in Camp,traditionally known for depicting social issues,has this year resorted to a grand decoration but it does not have any social theme.

Atmaram Sontake,president of the Mandal says,“We spent around Rs 5-6 lakh but have refrained from any themes. Simple decoration is enough. We will also a lunch for the visually challenged on September 8.”

Elaborating,Sontake says,“The visually challenged are a neglected lot. We usually don’t have any social themes at mandals. It is important that people recognize the problem of visually challenged. We wanted them to come and enjoy the festival and let them feel wanted.”

A few paces away,at Nandanvan Tarun Mandal on Sacchapir street,president of the mandal,Moses Aruldass,says,“We actually kept the theme simple owing to recent death of one of our volunteers. Besides,we usually do not display social themes at our mandal. The festival is a simple affair for us.”