Know about the important rituals and festivals of Maharashtra
Maharashtra is one of the famous states that celebrate dozens of festivals every year. Each Marathi festival is celebrated in a different way but with the same enthusiasm and happiness. In comparison to the previous years, numbers of people are becoming the part of these festivals by continuously increasing the splendor and pomp of the festivals. Every Marathi festival has its unique significance and importance that tends to make Maharashtra even more special. Starting with the Marathi festivals but wait you should also know about the Maharashtra day that is popularly known as the Marathi Diwas (M-Day). This day is special day for the Maharashtra because on this day Maharashtra state was formed.
There are different festivals celebrated in the Maharashtra such as narali poornima, mangala guar, jasmastmi and many more. These Marathi festivals are celebrated every year while you also know about some of the special Marathi festivals as listed below
- Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important Marathi festivals. This festival mainly lasts for ten days or according to the choice or belief of the different people depending upon the days that can be 5 or 7. Worshiper brings bappa (Ganesha) at their homes with the chanting of ganpati bappa morya .
- Gudi padva
Gudi padva is also one of the auspicious Marathi festivals that celebrated at the chaitra month (on first day). This festival is a special mark of the beginning of the New Year depending upon the lunisolar Hindu calendar. People fix gudhi outside their window because it is considered as the symbol of victory.
- Nag pachami
Nag pachami is Marathi festival that has strong belief on the snake worship. This is considered as an important ritual where people worship the snakes. According to the Hindu calendar, this worship is offered on the bright half fifth day of the lunar month.
- Gokul ashtami
Gokul ashtami is a most famous ritual with Dahi-Handi while celebrated as special day for lord Krishna. People often forms pyramids to reach and break to open the dahi-handi. Different types of competition are also held to reach and break the handi throughout the Maharashtra.
- Narali poornima
In Maharashtra, this festival is special mark for the end of monsoon season. People mainly offer coconuts to the god of sea. Before sailing into the sea fishermen with the decorated boats please the sea god as it is new fishing season.
- Shivaji jayanti
You may also know that shivaji was the greatest ruler of Maharashtra so people have great regard for their ruler. Shivaji is also known as the emperor of the Maharashtra while his birthday is celebrated with much more excitement every year.
- Pola
Pola festival is celebrated by the farmers of Maharashtra while mainly referred as the bull worshipping festival. It is popularly known in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Bullocks play an important role as essential part of the agriculture so these are worshipped and appreciated. On the day of pola, people finely decorate their bulls and after that starts for the worship.