Ganeshotsav celebrations have, however, not always been harmonious. In 1893, one celebration at Pydhonie in south Bombay led to a riot between Hindus and Muslims. “This was the first instance of a Hindu-Muslim riot in the erstwhile Bombay Presidency,” says a historian who did not want to be named, and adds, “The problem was with the playing of music at a Hanuman temple in Pydhonie. There was so much violence in other parts of the city that the Army had to be called in. About 75 people lost their lives. Before the riots, Hindus also participated in the Muharram procession, but after the riots, the communal harmony ended.” Tilak, through his Marathi paper Kesari, encouraged both communities to take part in each other’s religious festivals. “Even today, in Mumbai and Pune, which have the biggest Ganeshotsav celebrations in the state, the Muslim community participates very enthusiastically,” says Pitre.