Maharashtrian festivals

  Mangalagaur,especially,the Pahili (the first) Mangala Gauri celebration, is one of the most important celebrations for the new brides in Maharashtra, India. On the Tuesday of the month of Shravan after her marriage, the new bride performs Shivling puja for the longevity and happy conjugal of her husband and the well being of the new family. Mangala Gauri Puja or Mangal Gowri Vrata is observed on Shravan Mangalvars (Tuesdays during Shravan month). Mangala Gauri Vrat is dedicated to Goddess Mangala Gauri, who is popularly known as Goddess Parvati Devi. Mangala Gaur is a musical get-together of all family women and friends. It includes dancing, playing games, Ukhane married women take their husband's name poetically and delicious food items. Traditionally the women play Jhimma(clap dance), Fugadi(going round by joining hands), Bhendya(antakshari songs) till the wee hours of the next morning Mangala Gauri Puja or Manglagaur Vrat, is specially observed by newly married women, for firs...

Bail Pola – A Festival to Show Gratitude to Hard-Working Bulls   Have you ever seen yellow-coloured bulls decorated with ornaments? What’ll be your first thought if you saw such a bull? Have you heard of a  festival  that is celebrated by decorating and worshipping bulls? I guess the answer will be ‘no’ because the festival of  Bail Pola  is not as famous as  holi  or Diwali, both of which are celebrated across the country.  Bail Pola  is observed only in the rural areas of certain states like Chhattisgarh and  Maharashtra . Even then, it is a very important part of the unique and vast  Indian culture . Bail pola  is a carnival for farmers to offer their deepest gratitude to bullocks which drive their ploughs so that farmers can sow seeds and earn a living. It is a day when bullocks are worshipped for the rigorous hard work they do in the field, to initiate the seed sowing process and satisfy human hunger. Having been born and ...

  Also known as Uttarayan or  Pongal  in other parts of the country,  Makar Sankranti is the celebration of the winter solstice.  It is the celebration of the advent of spring, the day when the sun leaves the southern hemisphere and begins its journey in the northern hemisphere. Following the glorious tradition of kite-flying, there can be plenty of kites seen dotting the sky on this day. Meals of  gulachi poli  (jaggery flatbreads) are prepared to keep everyone warm. Small sweet  laddoos  (balls) made from sesame are especially prepared for this day. People visit the homes of friends and relatives, and say  “ Til gul ghya ani god god bola “, meaning “Accept this  til-gul  and speak sweetly” . It is a day when everyone agrees to forget old hostilities and differences, and move forward with mutual love and respect.  Another popular cultural celebration is having a  pooja  for newly married women and newborn infant...

  Gokul Ashtami or Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees fast till midnight on the eve of the birth of Lord Krishna. Krishna-janma is celebrated at midnight at temples and in homes amidst bhajans (devotional songs), marking the birth of Lord Krishna. The next day is celebrated as Gokulashtami. Devotees remember how the Lord was very fond of butter and used to go to great lengths to obtain butter.  In honour of the beloved Lord, a ritual performed on this day is the dahi-handi. Clay pots filled with curd, puffed rice and milk are strung high up above the streets. Groups of enthusiastic youngsters form human pyramids to reach up to these and break them open  – the way Lord Krishna and his friends would, after sneaking into the houses of gopis to steal butter. People throng in great numbers to see these human pyramids and their attempts at breaking the pot of butter. Janmashtami ,  Hindu   festival  celebrating the birt...

  Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, is the most loved in Maharashtra and Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with the most grandeur. I n August, preparations for the auspicious day when Lord Ganesh was born – begin with great enthusiasm. It is an 11-day festival, beginning with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and large pandals, colorfully decorated, depicting religious and cultural themes. The Ganesh idols are worshiped and many cultural events are organised. People throng the huge pandals to catch a glimpse of their favorite God. Visits to friends and family to offer prayers and join the celebrations, and partake some delicious food are looked forward to by all. It is also a great chance to gorge on modaks (steamed rice-flour dumplings with a succulent coconut and ghee filling), since they are considered to be the Lord’s favorite food. On the 11th day comes the time to bid farewell to Ganesha. People take the idols in processio...

  In the month of Shravan, the full moon day is celebrated in different parts of Maharashtra and is known as Narali Pournima.  During the  monsoon, the sea is unsafe for fishing, and hence fishermen do not venture into the sea. Narali Pournima marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the new fishing season and fishermen appease the sea god before sailing out in their beautifully decorated boats. ‘Naral’ means ‘coconut’, and ‘Pournmia’ is the full-moon day when offerings of coconuts are made to the sea god on this day.  The fisher-folk make offer coconuts and prayers to the sea-god and seek his blessings to prevent any untoward incidents, as they begin the fishing season. Sweets made from coconut are savoured on this day. Narali Pournima also coincides with the festival of Raksha Bandhan, when brothers vow to protect their sisters and the sisters tie a thread on their brother’s wrist as a sign of respect and affection. Nārali Poornima  is a ceremonial da...