| Festival name |
Date - Hindu lunar calendar |
Date - Gregorian calendar |
Celebration or Deity worshiped |
Duration |
Description
|
| Gudi Padwa |
1st day of Chaitra |
March–April |
New Year |
One day |
The year starts on the first day of Chaitra known as Gudi Padwa] which falls around March or April of the Western calendar. A gudi or victory pole is erected outside the house on this day. The special dish on the day includes Shreekhand. Neem leaves are eaten on this day to ward off illness during the new year. Gudi Padwa, like Diwali Padwa and Dasara, is considered one of the three and half auspicious days of the Marathi calendar. Astrological charts need not be consulted for conducting important ceremonies, such as weddings, on these days. During Chaitra, women also hold a Haladi-kunku celebration. Chaitra is, however, considered inauspicious for weddings.
|
| Chaitragaur |
3rd day of Chaitra to 3rd day of Vaishakh |
March–May |
New Year |
One Month |
.
|
| Ram Navami |
9th day of Chaitra |
March–April |
Rama |
One day |
Ram navami and Hanuman jayanti, the birthdays of Shree Ramchandra and Hanuman respectively are also celebrated in the month of Chaitra. Sunthawada/dinkawada, a snack usually eaten by new mothers is the snack of the day for Ram navami.
|
| Narali Pournima |
Full moon day of Shravan |
July -August |
Varied |
One day |
On this Shravan full moon day, Brahmin men change the sacred thread. In northern India, this day is celebrated as Raksha bandhan. Marathi people in general have adopted the Raksha bandhan tradition of sisters tying a rakhee on the wrist of their brothers. A special sweetened rice with coconut, called Narali Bhat in Marathi, is the special dish of the day.
|
| Mangala Gaur |
Any Tuesday in Shravan |
August |
Shiva |
One day |
Pahili Mangala Gaur (first Mangala Gaur) celebration is one of the most important celebration for the new brides. On the Tuesday of the month of Shravan after her marriage, the new bride performs Shivling puja for the well being of her husband and new family. It is also a get-together of all women folks. It includes chatting, playing games, Ukhane (married women take their husband's name woven in 2/4 rhyming liners) and great food. They typically play Jhimma, Fugadi, Bhendya till the wee hours of the next morning
|
| Janmashtami |
Ashtami in the dark half of Shravan |
August -September |
Krishna |
one day |
Birthday of Lord Krishna on Shravan Vadya ashtami is observed with a fast. Gopalkala, a recipe made with curd (yoghurt), pickle, popped millet (jondhale), chilli, salt etc. is popular, especially amongst kids.
|
| Ganeshotsav |
4th day of Bhaadrapada |
August–September |
Ganapati |
1.5 to 10 days |
Festival of Lord Ganesh. Through, Lokmanya Tilak's efforts Ganeshotsav became a public celebration a century ago. However, Deshasthas families also install their own clay (called shadu in Marathi) Ganpati in their house on Ganesh Chaturthi for family observation of the festival. The private celebration can go on for 1½ days to full 10 days according to each family's tradition. A Modak (steamed rice dumpling usually with a jaggery/coconut filling) is a sweet prepared for this occasion, and is considered the favourite of Lord Ganesh. Ganeshotsav also incorporates the Gauri festival. Deshasthas install statues of the Gauri. Kokanstha Brahmins on the other hand use special rocks as symbols of Gauri. In some families Gauri is also known as Mahalakshmi puja. It is celebrated for three days; on the first day, Mahalakshmi arrival is observed. The ladies in the family will bring statues of Mahalakshmi from the door to the place where they will be worshipped. They are settled at a certain location (very near the Devaghar), adorned with clothes and ornaments. On the second day, the family members get together and prepare a meal of puran poli. This day is the puja day of Mahalakshmi and the meal is offered to Mahalakshmi and her blessings sought. On the third day, Mahalakshmi goes to her husband's home. Before the departure, ladies in the family will invite the neighbourhood ladies for exchange of haldi-kumkum. It is customary for the whole family to get together during the three days of Mahalakshmi puja. Most families consider Mahalakshmi as their daughter who is living with her husband's family all the year; but visits her parents' (maher) during the three days.
|
| Navaratri |
Chaitra and Ashvin |
March–April and September–October |
Durga |
Nine nights, ten days |
This festival starts on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashvin. The nine-day festival of Durga culminates in Vijayadashami (Dasara). This is one of the three auspicious days of the year. Traditionally, stars need not be consulted for starting a new project on this day. People also exchange leaves of Apti tree as symbol of gold. During Navaratri women and girls hold bhondla, a singing party in honour of the Goddess. Some families also observe Navaratri in spring season in addition to the Navaratri observed in winter.
|
| Kojagiri Pournima |
Ashvin |
September–October |
Laxmi |
One night |
on autumn Full Moon night is celebrated with sweetened milk. The first born in the family is also honoured on this night.
|
| Diwali |
Ashwin-Kartik |
October–November |
Varied |
Five to Six |
The festival of lights is celebrated over five days by Brahmins of Maharashtra. Families celebrate this by waking up early in the morning and having an oil bath. People light their houses with lamps, and burst fire crackers over the course of the festival. Special sweets and savouries like anarse, karanji, chakli, chivda (Bombay mix), ladoo are prepared for the festival. Colorful Rangoli are made in front of the house. Kids make a replica fort in memory of Shivaji, the great Maratha leader.
|
| Khandoba Festival/Champa Shashthi |
Margashirsh |
December |
Khandoba |
Six |
A six-day festival, from the first to sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Margashirsh, in honour of Khandoba is celebrated by many deshastha families. Ghatasthapana, similar to navaratri, also takes place in Deshastha households during this festival. The sixth day is called Champa Sashthi.
|
| Makar Sankranti |
Varies |
January 14 or 15 |
Varied |
One day |
This mostly falls on January 14 when the Sun enters Capricorn. In Maharashtra, the day is celebrated by giving and receiving sweets made of jaggery and sesame seeds called tilgool and halwa. During the exchanging of the sweets, people say to each other in Marathi "Til-gool Ghya aani God Bola" (rough translation Please accept my til-gool & be friendly to me or Take sweet, talk sweet"). Special chappati with jaggery (gool poli) is the dish of the day.
|
| Maha Shivaratri |
Magha trayodashi |
January–February |
Shiva |
One day |
Worship day of Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva is pleased with austerities, so no sweets are prepared. A chutney made the fruit of Kawath tree (curd fruit, elephant apple, monkey fruit, or wood apple) is the speciality of this day.
|
| Holi |
Falgun Full moon |
March |
Holika |
1–2 days |
falls in Falgun, the last month of the marathi Shaka Calendar. Deshastha celebrate this festival by lighting a bonfire and offering puran poli to the fire. In North India, Holi is celebrated over two days with the second day celebrated with throwing colors. Maharashtrian Brahmins celebrate color throwing five days after Holi on Ranga-Panchami.
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