“This Ganesh Mahotsav, let us honor tradition with devotion and safeguard celebrations with fire safety and preparedness.”

Ganesh Mahotsav: Celebrating Tradition with Safety

Yesterday, I returned to India from an overseas trip, and I timed my return with one of the most beloved festivals of our country — Ganesh Mahotsav. The energy and devotion that fills the air during this season is truly unmatched. Across India, communities come together to welcome Lord Ganesha with faith, music, decorations, and joy.

But while I walked past several beautifully decorated temporary pandals, a thought struck me — amid all the grandeur and devotion, are we giving enough attention to fire prevention and emergency preparedness?

The Origin of Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav

The tradition of celebrating Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav (community Ganesh festival) has a remarkable history. It was initiated by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893. During the British colonial era, public gatherings were restricted, but Tilak saw Ganesh Utsav as a means to unite people under the banner of culture and spirituality. From private household worship, the festival transformed into a community celebration, giving rise to the concept of pandals and processions that we see today.

More than a century later, the festival has grown into a cultural movement celebrated across India and beyond.

Fire Safety Concerns in Temporary Pandals

While the celebration symbolizes unity and devotion, we must also recognize that pandals are temporary structures — often made with bamboo, cloth, thermocol, decorative materials, and electrical fittings. These are highly combustible and can create a fire hazard if not managed properly.

Key Fire Safety Precautions for Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals:

1. Fire Fighting Equipment

   • Every pandal should have basic fire extinguishers (like ABC type or CO₂) placed at accessible points.

   • At least some members of the Mandal should be trained in basic fire-fighting techniques.

2. Ingress and Egress Routes

   • Entry and exit routes should be clearly marked, wide enough, and free from obstructions.

   • Pathways should anticipate the average daily footfall and ensure smooth evacuation during an emergency.

3. Road Access for Emergency Vehicles

   • A minimum clear road width of 4.5 meters should be maintained around pandals to allow fire engines and ambulances to move freely.

   • Vehicles must not be parked in a way that blocks emergency access.

4. Electrical Safety

   • Temporary wiring and decorative lights should be installed by licensed electricians.

   • Overloading of circuits and use of substandard cables should be strictly avoided.

5. Crowd Management

   • Mandals should deploy volunteers for crowd control, guiding visitors, and helping in case of an emergency.

   • Emergency announcements should be made audible to all zones of the pandal.

Role of Government Agencies

It is not only the responsibility of organizers, but also of the government agencies who approve the erection of pandals. While issuing the No Objection Certificate (NOC), these agencies have an important role in:

• Increasing awareness among Mandals on safety requirements.

• Gradually introducing mandatory fire safety measures as part of approval conditions.

• Ensuring cross verification so that rules are not just on paper but are effectively implemented at site.

This joint effort between organizers and authorities can go a long way in ensuring that celebrations remain safe for everyone.

Faith with Responsibility

Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta). In His festival, we too must take responsibility to remove preventable risks. By adopting fire safety and emergency preparedness measures, every Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal can ensure that the festival remains a celebration of joy and togetherness — without any unfortunate incidents.

Greetings from Agni Raksha Niti

On behalf of Agni Raksha Niti, we extend our warm wishes to everyone on the occasion of Ganesh Mahotsav. May Lord Ganesha bless all with safety, prosperity, and happiness. Let us celebrate responsibly — with devotion, unity, and preparedness.