Mumbai Ganpati mandals can use loudspeakers till midnight on four visarjan days

Mumbai’s Ganpati mandals may use loudspeakers and amplifiers until midnight on four visarjan days this month: September 15, 18, 19 and 25.

A February 2026 notification from the Mumbai City and Suburban Collector permits sound systems from 6am to midnight on those days. Naresh Dahibavkar, head of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal Samanvay Samiti, said sound must remain below 55 decibels until 10pm and below 45 decibels from 10pm to midnight.

Dahibavkar said mandals are being urged to favour traditional dhol-tasha celebrations because DJ music can exceed the permitted limit and lead to police action. Some organisers still use loud music during processions, he added.

Kapil Mhapsekar of Sahyog Mitra Mandal in Chembur said the group obtains police permission each year and plans to complete its society immersion procession before the midnight deadline. The mandal uses a banjo for children to dance while keeping the sound within the permitted level, he said.

The midnight deadline applies to loudspeaker use on each of the four notified immersion days.