From a Tourist's Point of View
MUMBAI - FESTIVALS
Banganga (January)
A musical extravaganza organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation
in January at Walkeshwar (South Mumbai). It features top artistes from around the
country who perform live classical music concerts. This may be discontinued.
Elephanta (18-19 February)
Elephanta Island is where the magnificent Elephanta caves are located. It contains
beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. Organized
by MTDC, every year, renowned dancers and musicians perform outside the caves, beneath
a star-studded sky, to an appreciative audience. Special launch services and catering
arrangements are provided for visitors to enjoy this festival.
Gudhi Padava (March-April)
New Year's Day in the state of Maharashtra, it is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra
which is the start of the Hindu solar year. It is an auspicious day and a new beginning
for many. Traditionally, Gudhi Padava has been a day of festivity and rejoicing.
People decorate their door steps or lobbies with intricate rangoli (coloured powder)
designs. In the village precincts, people erect bamboos are decorated with silk cloths
and tiny flags and topped with a brass goblet (kalash). These are supposed to drive
away evil from the houses.
Nariyal Poornima (August)
The festival of Nariyal Poornima (coconut day) marks the end of the monsoons and is
celebrated by Mumbai's fisher folk. They paint their boats and light divas or little
oil lamps set them afloat interspersed with fresh garlands of flowers.
Their boats are also decorated with these divas and garlands. Typical of many
Indian rituals, coconuts are broken against the bows of their fishing vessels as an
offering to the Sea God. and the seas are set afloat with garlands of flowers as the
new fishing season begins.
Raksha Bandhan (August)
This festival is celebrated on the same day as Nariyal Poornima. It is on this day
that sisters tie a rakhi on the wrist of their brothers to protect them against evil.
Gokulashtami (August)
('Krishna Jayanti' or 'Janmashtami')
Is a two day celebration of the birth of Sri Krishna. Legend has it that he was born
in the dark half of the month and at the darkest hour of the night. But the birth
of one of Vishnu's most glorious incarnations was to bring joy and give security to
the suffering humanity. He is known as a mischievous child, an inspired cowherd, a
demon destroyer, an enthralling flute-player, a divine lover, and a clever diplomat.
Parsi New Year 'Pateti' (August-September)
It commemorates the day that the Shahenshahi Zoroastrian community landed in India
while migrating from Persia.
Ganesh Chaturthi (August-September)
A festival
to celebrate the birth anniversary of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom. Preparations
for this popular festival begin months before the actual dates. Images of the Elephant
god Ganesha are installed amidst elaborate, often expensive, arrangements for lighting
and decoration. Celebrations are organised for 7-10 days. The Chaturthi is the
last day dedicated to the elephant-headed god. This is when thousands of processions
converge on the beaches of Mumbai carrying their locality or household idols of Ganesha,
to be immersed in the sea. This immersion is accompanied by almost continuous
devotional songs, drumbeats and dancing.
Bandra Feast (September)
This is the week long feast to celebrate the birthday of the Virgin Mary is celebrated
in Mumbai for a week beginning on a Sunday closest to 8th of September. The services
for this feast are conducted at the Basillica of Mount Mary. The neighbouring roads
are used as a fair ground with Ferris wheels, amusements and rides. During the
evenings there are bands and shows to entertain the passersby.
Diwali (October-November)
This festival is celebrated almost throughout the country. It is a festival
of lights that symbolise the victory of inner righteousness and the abolishing of
spiritual darkness. Peoples of all faiths light 'diyas' oil lamps and place
them at all vantage points in their homes such as window ledges. Many people
celebrate by bursting flaring fireworks and crackers. The goddess Lakshmi, the symbol
of wealth and prosperity, is worshipped by the devout Hindus on this day. Diwali marks
the beginning of the Hindu New Year.
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