Tag Archives: Maharashtra Festivals Legends & Stories

Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated on 19th February. Shivaji Jayanti or the birthday of Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated on a majestic scale in Maharashtra. Shivaji was born on 19th February, 1627. His parents Jijabai and Shahaji Bhonsle named him Shivaji after local Goddess Shivai. Shivaji was the creator of the Maratha nation. He was instrumental in uniting the Maratha chiefs of …

Valentine’s Day — There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine’s Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note …

During Kumbha Sankranti the Sun is in a transitory phase and is moving from Makar Rashi to Kumbha Rashi. Of the twelve Sankranti that occur during any given year, Kumbha Sankranti is the eleventh in the year. Many communities across Eastern India celebrate Kumbha Sankranti with full religious fervor. It is also closely associated with Kumbh Mela which is considered to be …

Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India. According to the lunar calendar, when the sun moves from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn or from Dakshinayana to Uttarayana, in the month of Poush in mid-January, it commemorates the beginning of the harvest season and cessation of the northeast monsoon in South …

The Mahakumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the world’s largest public gathering and collective act of faith. This congregation, primarily, includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis and Pilgrims from all walks of life. Kumbh Mela, in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over a course of 12 …

Margashirsha Purnima: According to the Hindu scriptures, Margashirsha is regarded as a month of dedication. The full moon day falling in this month is known as Margashirsha Purnima. Moon is worshiped on the day of Margashirsha Purnima because the moon was blessed with Amrit on this day. Margashirsha Purnima is also celebrated as Dattatreya Jayanti. Lord Dattatreya was born on …

Kansa Vadh: Kansa was the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna and Balarama, and the King of Mathura (City in Uttar Pradesh, India). It was prophesied by the great saint Narada that he would be killed by Devaki’s (Kansa’s sister) eighth son. Kansa Vadh: Date In spite of killing off all of Devaki’s sons right after birth, Lord Krishna and Balarama …

Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration, but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones. Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America during Ireland‘s Great Famine of the 1840s. …

Anant Chaturthi or Anant Chaturdashi is the last day of the “Ganesh festival” celebrated in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is the eleventh day after Ganesh Chaturthi which falls on the 14th day of the bright Bhadrapada (the sixth month of Hindu calendar). The day follows the immersion of the idols of the beloved Lord but to be …

Janmashtami — On the eighth day of the black half of Bhadra (August – September) was born Shri Krishna, the eighth Avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. Therefore, this day is well known as Janmashtami or Krishna-Janmashtami. This auspicious day of birth of Krishna, the direct manifestation of Vishnu himself is celebrated in all parts of India with clat and great enthusiasm. …