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| Festivals of Maharashtra Chart |
Spectrum Chart - 700 : Festivals of Maharashtra
1. Shivaji Jayanti - Shivaji Jayanti, the
birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the first king of
Maratha Empire. It is celebrated with traditional fervour across
Maharashtra.
2. Gokulashtami - Gokulashtami is the
Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day
night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the
temples. In many places, the popular event of “Dahi Handi”,also
takes place.
3. Bhau Beej - Bhau Beej is the ceremony
performed by Hindus, generally, on the second day of Diwali. It is
celebrated among brothers and sisters and is similar to Raksha
Bandhan, except there is no tying of rakhi involved.
4. Diwali - Diwali is also termed as
“Festival of Lights”, as on this day every people, especially
Hindus, lighten up their houses with lights including candles and
diyas. It is celebrated in honour of Lord Rama. He returned to his
kingdom, Ayodhya, after spending 14 years in forest.
5. Dussehra - People celebrate Dussehra
festival to mark the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. It signifies
the victory of good over the evil. People go to see the famous folk
play of Ram Leela. The story of Lord Rama is shown in the play. It is
a great time to enjoy and take inspiration from virtuous acts of
Rama.
6. Navratri - Navratri is a festival
dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Durga. The word Navaratri
means 'nine nights'. During Navratri festival, in most of the cities
of Gujarat & West India people gather and perform Dandiya &
Garba dance. Garba is performed before Aarti as devotional
performances in the honour of the Goddess, while Dandiya is performed
after Aarti.
7. Narali Poornima - Narali poornima is
the day of fishermen this festival signifies retreating monsoon and
the commencement of their fishing activity. Narali poornima is
observed on Shravan Purnima, the Full moon day in Sawan month.
8. Makar Sankranti - On the day of Makar
Sankranti, people worship the Sun God. This festival is marked with
prosperity and abundance. On this day, freshly harvested cereals and
foods are cooked.
People celebrate this festival with
flying kites.
9. Nag Panchami - Nag Panchami is a
traditional worship of snakes or serpents observed by Hindus
throughout India. The worship is offered on the fifth day of bright
half of Lunar month of Shravan, according to the Hindu calendar.
10. Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesh Chaturthi,
the birthday of Lord Ganesh, is celebrated in August-September.
Ganesh made of unbaked clay are worshipped on this day in every
house. A special sweet called Modak is prepared on this occassion. To
mark the end of the festivities, the clay idols of Lord Ganesh are
immersed in water.
11. Maharashtra Day - Maharashtra Day is a
state holiday in the Indian state of Maharashtra, commemorating the
formation of the state of Maharashtra from the division of the Bombay
State on 1 May 1960. Maharashtra Day is commonly associated with
parades and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various
other public and private events celebrating the history and
traditions of Maharashtra.
12. Raksha Bandhan - The beautiful relation
of a brother and a sister is celebrated in the festival of Raksha
Bandhan. Traditionally, girls tie a string of thread on the wrist of
her brother. This thread of love reminds the brother of his
responsibility to always take care, support and protect his sister
under all circumstances.
13. Ashadi Ekadashi - Ashadhi Ekadashi is
more of a religious procession festival and is celebrated during the
months of June- July. On this day people go walking in huge
processions to Pandharpur singing the Abhangas (chanting hymns) of
Saint Tukaram and Saint Dnyaneshwar to see their God Vitthal.
14. Pola – Pola is a bull-worshipping
festival celebrated by farmers mainly in Maharashtra. On the day of
Pola, the bulls are first given a bath and then decorated with
ornaments and shawls. Their horns are painted and their necks are
adorned with garlands of flowers. Then, they are worshipped by their
owners. Pola is the main festival of the farmers of the Maharashtra.
15. Vat Poornima - The festival of Vat
Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Jyeshtha
(May–June) on the Hindu calendar. Women observe a fast and tie
threads around a banyan tree and pray for the well being of their
husband.
16. Mahashivratri - Maha means “great”,
Ratri means “night” and Shiva refers to “Lord Shiva”. The
marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on this day.
There is a tradition of offering a holy bath to the “Shiva Lingam”.
People celebrate this festival by fasting, offering sweets to god,
etc.
17. Gudi Padwa - Gudi Padwa is the festival
that augments the new year and is usually celebrated on the first day
of the Indian month of Chaita according to the lunar calendar.
18. Ambedkar Jayanti - Ambedkar Jayanti is
an annual festival observed on 14 April to commemorate the memory of
B. R. Ambedkar. It marks Ambedkar's birthday in 1891 and is a public
holiday throughout India. It is celebrated throughout the world
especially by Dalits who embraced Buddhism after his example. In
India, large numbers of people visit local statues commemorating
Ambedkar in procession with lot of fanfare.
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