The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will not hold its annual Deepotsav celebration at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park this year, party chief Raj Thackeray announced in a video message on November 4.
Thackeray cited concern over drought conditions in Maharashtra as the reason for the decision. His announcement was reported by Loksatta and TV9 Marathi, both of which embedded the organiser’s social-media post.
The annual programme normally features illuminations and fireworks and draws visitors from Mumbai, Thane and elsewhere in the state. People planning to travel to Dadar specifically for the MNS celebration should revise that plan.
The cancellation concerns this particular Shivaji Park programme. It is not an announcement that Diwali celebrations across Mumbai have been cancelled.
Archive illustrative photograph of oil lamps, not a photograph of Shivaji Park or a 2026 event. Photo: Diya, Indian oil lamp, Diwali Diya in the village by Pritam Sonone, CC0 1.0 Universal. Supplied at web resolution; display may be cropped.
