As Maharashtra is a big state, it is home to many
religions. The state also nurtures different traditions with diverse
communities. Maharashtrians are fun loving people, so that might be
another reason why the state has lots of different festivals.
Apart from the main festivals of Eid, Holi, Deewali and other
festivals, which are celebrated, all over India, there are other
festivals, which are celebrated locally and regionally in Maharashtra.
Songs, dance and mouth watering cuisines accompany almost every
festivals.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important festival in Maharashtra. It is
celebrated for ten days with huge fun fare. Banganga Festival, Kalidas
Festival, Ellora Festival and Elephanta Festival are the festivals
organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. Classical
music and dance are the main attractions of these festivals.
Kojagiri Poornima or Ashwin Poornima, Ganga Dashahara, Banganga
Festival, Nag Panchami, Wat Pournima, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti and Palkhi
Festival are some of the important festivals of Maharashtra.
Banganga Festival
Banganga Festival held every year in the city of Mumbai is a musical tribute to Lord Ram. The aim behind the celebration of this musical carnival is to protect the existing rich heritage.
Bhaubeej
Bhaubeej is brother-sister occasion celebrated on the fifth day of Deewali. Basundi poori or shrikhand poori are prepared for this occasion. Dhanatrayodashi, Narakchaturdashi, Amavasya (Laxmi Pujan),
Elephanta Festival
Elephanta Festival is another festival for dance and music organised by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). It is organised in the month of February.
Ellora Festival
Ellora festival is the festival of classical dance and music organised under the backdrop of the Ellora caves. This festival, which is organised by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
Ganesh Chaturthi
Lord Ganesh is the most respected God in Maharashtra, so as the Ganesh Chaturthi, most important festival. The festival falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August - September).
Ganga Dashahara
River Ganga is known as Tripathaga, or the 'Three Path River', as it is believed that the river flows in three worlds - in heaven it is called Mandakini, on earth the Ganges (or Ganga),
Jiviti Puja
Married Maharashtrian women perform Jivti Puja on any one of the Fridays in the month of Shravan (July-August). Jivti is an incarnation of Parvati, a goddess who is believed to protect children.
Kalidas Festival
Kalidas Festival is organised in the honour of the great poet Kalidas. This festival is held at Ramtek, Nagpur in the month of November for two days.
Kojagiri Poornima
Kojagiri Poornima or Ashwin Poornima is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwin (September-October). As the rainy season passes, the sky becomes clear and the moon shines in the sky with full brightness.
Maharashtra Day
Maharashtra attained statehood on 1st May 1960. So, the day is organized as Maharashtra Day in Maharashtra. The state government organizes the main function in Mumbai.
Nag Panchami
Cobra has a special significance in Hindu mythology. Nag Panchami is celebrated to worship snakes. It is a festival in the honour of the Snake God,
Narali Poornima
Narali Poornima marks the end of monsoon season in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan. People offer coconuts to the sea. The festival also marks the beginning of the new fishing season.
Palkhi Festival
Palki festival showcases the distinctive feature of the Maharashtrian culture. This is a 1000-year-old tradition,
Pola Festival
Maharashtra is a vast state so as its agricultural land. Bullocks were used for agriculture in olden days and other works. So, they are one of the most helpful animals to human being.
Shivaji Jayanti
Shivaji Maharaj was the greatest ruler of Maharashtra. So, Maharashtrians have a great regard for this Maratha ruler. To give a respect, the birthday of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,
Vat Pournima
Wat Pournima is the festival for Maharashtrian women, which is celebrated in the month of Jesht (May-June). Women observe a fast and tie threads around a banyan tree and pray for the same husband in every birth.
Festivals and fairs of Maharashtra reflect the cultural diversity in Maharashtra, India.