The Maharashtrians are a vibrant, vivacious people for whom life itself is a celebration. All festivals in Maharashtra are celebrated with abundant fervour and enthusiasm. The Festivals are a true reflection of  Maharashtrian culture, with all its colourful customs, rituals and traditions. The song, music and dance that accompany almost every festive occasion add joy and excitement to the lives of the people from every walk of life. The festivals are a tribute to Maharashtra's rich culture and legacy. 

Lord Ganesh, the patron deity of Maharashtra, is the God of wisdom. In August, preparations to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi - the auspicious day when Lord Ganesh was born - begin with great enthusiasm all over the state. 

The 11-day festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and mandaps (large tents), colourfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current events. The Ganesh idols are worshipped with families and friends. Many cultural events are organised and people participate in them with keen interest. After ten exciting days comes the time to bid farewell to the beloved God. People take Ganesh idols in procession to the accompaniment of music and dance for immersion in the sea or nearby river or lake.

Diwali or Deepawali means a row of lights. The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a celebration of lights. Streets are illuminated with rows of clay lamps and homes are decorated with rangoli (coloured powder designs) and aakash kandils (decorative lanterns of different shapes and sizes). Diwali is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. The five days which comprise Diwali are Dhanatrayodashi; Narakchaturdashi, Amavasya (Laxmi poojan), Balipratipada and Yamadvitiya (Bhaubeej).

Sankrant means the passing of the sun from one Zodiac sign (i.e. Dhanu) to the other (i.e.Makar). -People exchange greeting and good wishes on this day. Sweet and crunchy ladoos made of sesame and jaggery called “TilGul”are the favourite sweets.

It is a festival in the honour of the Snake God Shesha Nag . Snake worship is an important ritual of the Maharashtrians, and on the festival of Nag Panchami, clay icons of cobras are venerated in homes.

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated on Gokul Ashtami or Janmashtami. Most devotees fast till midnight  till the birth of Lord Krishna is announced. Gopal Kala-a preparation made of flattened rice and curds is prepared on this day. Another fun-filled ritual performed on this day is dahi-handi - clay pots filled with curd, puffed rice and milk are strung high up above the streets and groups of enthusiastic young men (and even women) form human pyramids to reach these and break them open, the way Lord Krishna and his friends would, after sneaking into the houses of gopis (milkmaids) to steal and eat butter. 

The full moon day of the month of Shravan is celebrated  in different parts of Maharashtra and is known variously as Narali Pournima, Shravani Pournima, Rakhi Pournima or Raksha Bandhan. 'Naral' means 'coconut', and Narali Pournmia is thus called because offerings of coconuts are made by people to the sea-god on this day. Narali Pournima also marks the advent of the new fishing season and fishermen appease the sea-god before sailing out in their gaily-decorated boats. The festival is a day of singing and dancing. 

The harvest festival is celebrated by farmers all over Maharashtra. It is an important festival of rural Maharashtra. On this day bullocks, which are an integral part of the agricultural operations are worshipped. They are bathed, colourfully decorated and taken out in processions across the village, accompanied by the music of drumbeats and lezhim.

According to the great Hindu epic Ramayan, Dussehra is the day on which Lord Ram killed Ravan, the evil king of Lanka. It is considered as a shubh-muharat - a very auspicious day - to start a new venture. It is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. As the evening falls, the villagers cross the border, a ritual known as Simollanghan, and worship the Shami tree.

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