Festivals

Gudipada (or Gudi Padwa) is a vibrant spring festival, the traditional Marathi and Konkani New Year, celebrating the start of the lunisolar new year in March/April, marked by cultural rituals, hoisting a gudi (a decorated silk cloth, pot, neem, mango leaves) symbolizing victory and prosperity, and special foods. Key Aspects of Gudi Padwa: In essence, Gudipada is a joyous cultural festival celebrating the start of a new year with rich traditions, symbolizing new life and prosperity for Marathi and Konkani people.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings, revered as the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta). Celebrated for up to 10 days, devotees welcome Ganesha idols into homes and public pandals, performing prayers, sharing sweets like modaks, and concluding with grand processions and immersion (Visarjan) of the idols in water, symbolizing his return and the cycle of life.  Why it’s celebrated: How it’s celebrated:

The Hottal Festival, also known as Navaru, is an annual cultural and tourism event held at the historic Mahadev Mandir in Hottal, Nanded district, Maharashtra. Organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Department of Tourism Maharashtra, it celebrates regional traditions with folk dances, music, local art exhibitions, and food stalls, typically held in April.  Key Details About Hottal Festival: The festival provides a comprehensive experience of Maharashtrian culture alongside the historical backdrop of the 11th-12th century temples. 

Hola Mohalla is a 3-day Sikh festival, typically in March, inaugurated by Guru Gobind Singh in 1701 to celebrate martial arts, valor, and community spirit. Held in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, it features warrior processions, mock battles (Gatka), horse riding, and poetry, following the Hindu festival of Holi.  Key Aspects of Hola Mohalla: It is a major event for the Sikh community worldwide, characterized by intense, festive, and traditional activities, often with free food (langar) provided to participants. 

A two-day commemoration of the 350th anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom got underway in Nanded on Saturday with nearly 10 lakh devotees expected to congregate.Among devotees will be Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Both will attend the event on Sunday, announced the Maharashtra Government.The commemoration, a second by a BJP government (the first was held in Haryana recently), will witness the participation of members of nine historically significant communities with links to Punjab and the Sikh faith.Organisers of the programme told The Tribune today that among the communities to be represented at the event would be the Sikligars, Banjaras, Mohyals, Valmikis, Lubanas, Sindhis and Udasis. The Sikligars, Banjaras and Mohyals are distinct communities with unique histories of their own. Their evolution intersects with the evolution of the Sikh religion.