Ajanta and Ellora Festivals: It is the festival of
classical dance and music under the backdrops of the Ellora Caves. The
festival usually falls in March. The festival showcases best talents
from across India. Maharashtra government organizes the festival.
Aurangabad Festival: Aurangabad Festival promotes the rich local
culture, talent, art and heritage of the city. The festival is organized
to explore the hidden talents and to increase the vibrancy of this
historic city. The festival generally falls in December. The Aurangabad
Festival Committee organizes it. The festival has programmes that
emphasize local art, culture, and heritage, through classical dance
performances, popular songs, folk dances, Mushaira, Qawalli, and
Ghazals. The festival also exhibits local handlooms and handicrafts like
Paithani Himroo, Bidri and Paperwork. Other attractions include,
heritage walk for senior citizens, traditional bullock cart race,
marathon, inter-school and inter-college competitions, etc.
Buddha Jayanti: Buddha Jayanti is organized in the city as an important
festival. Community halls and public places are remained crowded for
mass prayers. Religious processions are also taken out on this day.
Dussehra: Dussehra is celebrated for ten days. On the tenth day, a fair
is held when people greet each other with offerings of 'Apta' leaves
that symbolize good luck. Bhavani Temple in Karnapura locality of
Aurangabad is visited by thousands of devotees on this day.
Ganesh Chaturthi: This is the most important festival in Maharashtra;
this festival is celebrated in Kolhapur as well with great zeal. Images
of Ganapati are installed at public places and ten-day long celebrations
are organised. On the last day, the clay images are taken in a
procession and immersed in the river. The occasion is marked by a lot of
fun and gaiety.
Khultabad Urs: Muslims gather at the tomb of Khawaja for five days each
year during the month of Rabi-Ul-Awal. This festival is known is known
as the Khu;tabad Urs.
Mahashivratri: This festival is celebrated during the months of
February or March every year. Worshipers throng to at Grishneshwar
temple to worship Lord Shiva on this day.
Paithan Fair: This festival is celebrated in the months of March or
April every year. Pilgrims gather to pay homage to saint Eknath Maharaj
at Paithan on the banks of the river Godavari. The fair runs for 10 days
with great enthusiasm.
Shivaji Jayanti: This festival is celebrated in May. This is the birth
anniversary of Chatrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler. A procession
with lezims (a traditional musical instrument) and floats is taken round
to the city.
Read about the fairs and festivals of Aurangabad
city.