Top 10 Famous Festivals of Maharashtra state in India.

TOP 10 FAMOUS FESTIVALS OF MAHARASHTRA STATE IN INDIA

Maharashtra is a state in the western and central peninsular region of India. Maharastra is the center of India. Maharashtra is one of the 2nd most populous states in India.

Maharastra was formed on the 1st of May 1960. Maharashtra is a Marathi linguistic state. This state is divided into 6 divisions and 36 districts.

Mumbai is the Capital of Maharashtra. Maharashtra is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Karnataka and Goa in the south, Chhattisgarh to the east, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to the North.

Maharastra is the most industrialized state in India and the State capital, Mumbai is the financial and commercial hub of India.

The most vibrant Top 10 festival in Maharashtra.

1. Gudi Padwa.

2. Ram Nabami.

3. Guru Purnima.

4. Narali Pournima.

5. Mangala Gouri.

6. Janmashtami.

7. Ganeshotsav.

8. Navaratri.

9. Kajagari Pournima.

10. Diwali.

1. Gudi Padwa:-

This is s is  also called Samvatsar Padvo. Gudi padwa falls in April-13 every year. This festival is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar every year.

 It is also the first day of the new year of the people of Maharashtra. The name Gudi Padwa is made using two words “Gudi”, which means flag or emblem of Lord Brahma, and “Padwa”, which means the first day of the phase of the moon.

 Rabi crops are reaped after this festival, which signifies the arrival of the spring season of the year. As per the Hindu mythology, it is said that on this day Lord Brahma created the universe.

It is also said that the Lord Brahma further created the concept of days, weeks, months, and years on the day of Gudi Padwa. This festival is called Ugadi in South India and is considered to be the first day of the creation of the universe.

Gudi Padwa also symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. This festival commemorates the celebrations done for Lord Rama after his return to Ayodha after completing 14 years of exile.

A Gudi is a flag made using a long bamboo shoot and bright color silk scarf. The bamboo is covered with a scarf and decorated with neam leaves, mango leaves, and garland flowers.

The bamboo shoot is then covered with an inverted vessel made of silver /copper and this signifies the victory of good over evil. There is a number of food items that are made to celebrate the festival of Gudi Padwa.

 Popular main dishes are Kothimbir Vadi, Batata Vada, Sabudana Bada, Chakuli, and Batata Bhaji.

2. Ram Nabami.-

Ram Navami is a Hindu festival. This celebrating the birth of Lord Rama to King Dasaratha of Ayodha. This festival is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra month( the first month of the Lunar Colander of Hindu).

 It marks the culmination of the spring festival of Vasanta Navaratri( Chaitra Namarari). Bhagaban  Ram was born on Navami Tithi during the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. Every year this day is celebrated as the birthday of Bhagaban Rama.

Bhagaban Ram was born during the Madhyahna period (middle )of the Hindu day.

Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama. Rama Nabami celebrations in Ayodhya is remarkable.

 Devotees come to Ayodhya from far places. After taking a holy dip into the river Sarayu Devotees visit the Rama temple to participate in birthday celebrations.

3. Guru Purnima:-

Guru Purnima is celebrated not only in India but in places like Nepal and Bhutan as well. It falls in the month of July. Guru Purnima is celebrated in order to thank teachers. “Gu” means stands for darkness and “Ru “means stands for remover.

Buddhism alike considered being equivalent to God. Celebration in Maharashtra signifies the relationship between the teacher and the student. Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima is celebrated to give respect and pay gratitude to our Gurus.

This is the full moon day in Ashada is one of the auspicious days of Hinduism. Guru Purnima also commemorates the birthday of Ved Vyas. Guru Purnima honors Ved Vyasa, known as one of the most honored Gurus of ancient India.

Guru Purnima represents the date on which Lord Shiva as the Adi Guru or original Guru taught the seven rishis who were the seers of Vedas. Lord Budha was said to have delivered his first sermon on this day at Sarnath reflecting the power of sacred times.

Guru Purnima is celebrated to honor our teacher, who removes the darkness from our minds. They have had a special place in the lives of their followers since ancient times.

4. Narali Pournima.:-

 Narali Pournima or coconut festival is celebrated by the Hindus of the fishing community of Maharashtra on the full moon day of Purnima of Shravana month every year. On this day coconut offer to the sea.

On this day fishermen now can begin fishing safely and start off their trades. Apart from offering coconut to Varuna, the sea God people also worship the sea and offer prayers so that God keeps them safe while they are out in the sea for fishing.

 Fishing is not done during this period and also no fish is consumed on this day. It is only after Narali Pournima after the coconut has been offered to God at high tide that people can start fishing and consume the fish.

5. Mangala Gouri.:-

In Maharashtra, the Mangala Gauri Vrata is considered to be a very precious fast observed mainly by newly married women. Special puja performed in the dedication of Goddess Gauri for well being of their husband and for happy life married life.

 Beautiful Rangolis are drawn by the women on this puja place. In this puja 16 laddus are offered by married women to their sister-in-law and mother-in-law and then prasad offered to Brahmin. This ritual is mainly performed on Tues day of the Shravana month.

It starts on the first Tuesday of the month and continues on the last Tues day of the month. After completion of the puja, the idol of Goddess Gauri is immersed in a pond.

It is said that this puja once started should be performed for 5 consecutive years for peace and harmony of the family.

6. .Janmashtami:-

Sri Krishna Janmashtmi marks the celebrations of the birthday of Lord Krishna. This festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and grandeur in the many states of India, especially in the western state of Maharashtra.

 It usually falls during the month of July and early August. Sri Krishna Janmashtami falls on the Ashtami of Krishna paksha, which happens to be the 8th day of Krishna paksha of the month of Bhadon.

 Janmashtami is the grand festival of western Maharashtra. This festival is celebrated by Hindus all over the world, many devotees fast on this day and offer prays to God. Festiva of Janmashtami signifies goodwill and the victory of good over evil.

Temples and shrines at homes and colonies are decorated with flowers ad lights. People gather during this day and worship the idol, enact plays, and sing-song to celebrate the festival. Dahi Handi or (a pot of cord) is also a form of celebrating the occasion.

 It has become a festival ritual and is celebrated mainly in the state of Gujarat, Maharashtra. On this day of Janmashtami group of young boys form a human pyramid and attempt to break an earthen pot filled with Dahi. The Dahi Handi pot is kept at a height of around 30 feet from the ground.

The ritual of breaking the pot of curd represents lord Krishna,s childhood days and legends of him stealing butter, ghee, and curd as a baby. He loved dairy products and often steal them and that is why he was called “ Makhan Chor”.Over the years Dahi Handi has become a ritual of Krishna Janmashtami.

7. Ganeshotsav.:-

Maharashtra is known for its Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava, a festival of elephant God, which is celebrate 10 days with great enthusiasm.

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhara Tilak initiated Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava in Maharashtra. Pune is famous for its traditional Ganapati festival. Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Samiti, Maharashtra Sadan was formed in 1997 by the employees of Maharashtra Sadan.

Since then Ganeshutsav has been celebrating with great enthusiasm and religious fervor. Ganapati festival celebration is always in true tradition as set by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhara Tilak.

 Various cultural programs depicting the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra are organized. Ganesh is known as the God of wealth, knowledge, wisdom, and prosperity. Ganesh is known by 108 different names like Gajanana, Vinaka, and Vighnaharra among others.

8. Navaratri.:-

Navaratri is a famous festival of Hinduism. This festival, which spans nine nights and ten days. This festival is celebrated every year in the autumn. Theoretically, there are four seasonal Navaratri.

It is the post-monsoon autumn festival called Sharada Navaratri. That Navaratri is most observed in the honor of the divine Devi Durga. Celebrations include worshipping nine goddesses in nine days.

These nine days are also a major crop season cultural event. Such as competitive design and staging of pandals, a family visit to these pandals, and the public celebrations of classical and folk dance.

On the final day, we called Vijayadashmi. Sharada Navaratri is the most celebrated of the four Navaratri, named after Sharada. The festivals celebrated for nine nights once every year during this month, which is falls in the month of Sept and October every year.

Chaitra Navvaratri:-Chaitra Navaratri is the second most celebrated Navaratri, named after Vasantha which means spring. This festival is observed during the lunar month of Chaitra( March-April).

In many regions of India, this festival falls after the spring harvest and others during the harvest. This festival marks also the first day of the Hindu calendar. Magha Nabaratri:-Magha Nabaratri is observed during the lunar month of Magha( January –February).

The fifth day of this festival is often independently is observed as Vasanta Panchami. It is the date of the start of the official spring season. Ashada Nabaratri:-Ashada Navaratri is observed during the lunar month of Ashada ( June –July) during the start of monsoon season.

9. Kojagiri Pournima:-

Kojagiri Purnima or Ashwin Poornima is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwin( Sept-Oct) every year.

As the sky became clear and the moon shines in the sky with full brightness, So it is the celebrations of this occasion, which is very traditional.

 It is also known as Kaumudi meaning of moonlight. Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on this day. People keep awake the whole night singing song and other entertaining things.

Maharashtrian believes the Goddess Laxmi moves around from place to place “who is awake” ( Kojagarti).

People take only fluids like coconut water and milk masala and a readymade combination of dry foods.

10. Diwali:-

Diwali is a Hindu festival. Diwali celebrations of lights and observed in India as well as in other countries. At this famous festival, houses are decorated with attractive lights.

People are enjoying the festival by bursting the fireworks. Diwali is the festival of victory of good over bad. Lights symbolize the removal of evil from lives and the welcoming of happiness, joy, and prosperity.

The lamps that are placed in the houses are meant to welcome goddess Laxmi into their home and bless them with ample prosperity and wealth. According to the people of Maharashtra, in the archetypal Marathi family, Diwali starts from “ Vasu –baras” which happens to fall in the “ Ashwin Krishna Dwadish” date according to the Marathi calendar.

 Diwali is celebrated in honor of an auspicious occasion when Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Laxman return back from an exile of 14 years. During this Lord, Rama defeated Ravana a monster king, after he had kidnapped Sita.

Their path of arrival was illuminated, all villagers lit Diyas and celebrated the triumph of Good Rama over evil Ravana. In certain areas, Deepavali is also linked to a celebration of the goddess Laxmi, who is considered by Hindus as the Holy goddess of prosperity and wealth.

Dhantaras ,Dhanatryayodashi , Yama Deepam on (day1),Naraka Chatursashi , chooti Diwali on (day-2),Laxmi Pujan –Kali puja on Day-3,Annkut, Balipratipada (padwa), Govardhana puja of (Day-4),Bhai Duj, Bhau –Beej, Viswakrma puja of ( Day-5) celebrate in Diwali.