Which are the major festivals celebrated in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra is the richest state in terms of culture and one of the most varied states in India, it has a mushrooming number of festivals that comprises religious observance, folk culture and state pride. The majority of the pan-Indian festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid are celebrated here, yet there are some exclusive and iconic celebrations in the state. Some of the festivals that are important in the state of Maharashtra in relation to the indigenous culture include:
1. Ganesh Chaturthi – The Most Iconic Festival
The festival is most popular and grand in Maharashtra and is called Ganesh Chaturthi. It is the festival of birth of Lord Ganesha, the God with elephant head of wisdom and prosperity.
When: August or September (Hindu month of bhadrapada)
Where: It is particularly magnificent in Mumbai, Pune and the Konkan zone
Highlights:
- Installation of intricately crafted Ganesha idols in homes and pandals (temporary temples)
- Ten days of worship, music, dance and culture activities
- Concludes with Ganesh Visarjan - the immersion of idols in rivers or the sea amid large processions
2. Gudi Padwa – Marathi New Year
Gudi Padwa is the Hindu observance of the first day of the Hindu lunar calendar and it is observed as a festival of Maharashtrians New Year.
- When: March or April (Chaitra month)
- Significance:
- It symbolizes victory, renewal, and prosperity
- Traditions:
- Raising the Gudi (a decorated flag-like symbol) outside homes
- Cleaning and decorating houses with rangoli
- Eating traditional sweets like Puran Poli and Shrikhand
3. Makar Sankranti – The Kite Festival
Maharashtrians celebrate Makar Sankranti with kites, sweets, and community bonding.
- When: January 14 (solar calendar)
- Traditions:
- Flying kites in open spaces
- Exchanging tilgul (sesame and jaggery sweets) with the phrase “Tilgul ghya, goad goad bola” (Take this sweet, speak sweetly)
- Wearing black clothes (symbolizing heat absorption in winter)
4. Dahi Handi – Krishna Janmashtami Celebration
Dahi Handi is a festival that is celebrated mainly in Mumbai and Thane and teams form human pyramids in an attempt to break an earthen pot that is filled with curd, butter or sweets.
When: August (the day after Krishna Janmashtami)
Highlights:
- The festival is inspired by the childhood of Lord Krishna
- Competitions with cash prizes are organized
- Includes music, dancing, and community gatherings
5. Nag Panchami, Shivratri, and Other Religious Festivals
Other significant festivals include:
- Nag Panchami - Worship of snakes especially in rural areas of Maharashtra
- Mahashivratri Festival - The celebration of religious service to lord Shiva through visiting temples and spending the night with prayers
- Diwali - Festival of lights when people use firecrackers and sweets
- Holi – The festival of colors, celebrated with water fights, colored powder, and dancing
Conclusion
Festivals in Maharashtra reflect the tradition, spiritual values and the zeal of festivities of the state. Of those, the most symbolic and widely known one is the Ganesh Chaturthi. No matter what city you are in, whether it is Mumbai or a village in the Sahyadri hills, Maharashtra festivals provide a bright figure on the soul of this state.
