Started in 1893, the Ganesh festival appealed to the religious beliefs of the masses, and to the religious and patriotic instincts of the educated people in Maharashtra. However, according to some historians, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated at the time of Shivaji Maharaj, and it also formed an important occasion during the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra. But with the end of the Peshwas, this festival became a household affair pertaining to the Brahmins and other higher classes. Tilak aimed at giving this festival a collective aspect, and utilizing it for creating and awakening the sense of national enthusiasm among the people. Another reason behind starting the Ganesh festival was to draw all the Hindus, from high and low classes, around a central national function, and providing them with a platform to stand together and perform a joint national duty. Started in 1893, the Ganapati or Ganesh festival appealed to the religious beliefs of the masses and to the religious and patriotic instincts of the educated people in Maharashtra. However, according to some historians, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated at the time of Shivaji Maharaja and also it formed an important occasion during the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra. But with the end of Peshwa, this festival became a household affair pertaining to the Brahmin and higher classes. Tilak aimed at giving these festivals a collective aspect and utilising it for creating and awakening the sense of national enthusiasm among the people. Another reason behind starting the Ganesh festival was to draw all the Hindus around a central national function and providing a platform for all the Hindus of all high and low classes to stand together and discharge a joint national duty.

The origin of Shiv Jayanti festival finds its root in the year 1885, when the dilapidated condition of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s grave at Raigad, was brought to notice through various newspapers. However, it vanished from the minds of the people over a period of time. It was in 1895, when Tilak, through his article in Kesari, questioned the followers of Shivaji who failed to make any efforts for reinstating the memorial of Shivaji. As such, a meeting was called upon by inviting the Princes of all the States and other people for collecting public subscriptions towards this purpose. During one such meeting, he urged people of every class and caste to take a personal interest in this sacred task, and contribute towards it. Gradually, this movement received wider attention and support from women as well as certain moderates, who joined this movement with great enthusiasm. Along with this movement, the need for celebrating the birth anniversary of Shivaji at Raigad gained momentum, and a programme of the ceremony was published in the Kesari.