Events & Festivals in Mumbai

Nariyal Poornima (Aug)
Nariel Purnima or coconut day in August marks the end of the monsoons and is celebrated by Mumbai's fisher folk. Boats are painted, little oil lamps lit and set afloat amidst the waves and carried in the boats, and coconut are broken against their bows as an offering to the Sea God and the seas are set afloat with garlands of flowers as the new fishing season begins.

Gudhi Padava (Mar-Apr)
Gudhi Padava is the Maharashtran New Year's Day celebrated on the first day of Chaitra(Mar-Apr). This day marks the start of the Hindu solar year. It is a day of great festivity and rejoicing. People get up early and clean their houses, decorating them with intricate rangoli designs. Bamboo staffs (gudhi) decorated with silk cloths and topped with a brass goblet or kalash are erected. These are supposed to drive away evil from the houses.

Banganga Music Festival
The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation funds, arranges and encourages the celebration of the many festivals on the State's calendar, ensuring that Mumbai is seldom without an attractive religious or cultural event to enthrall visitors. The Banganga Music Festival is one such. The two-day festival of music is held at the historic Banganga Tank, dating from the 13th century but rebuilt in the 1700s, in aid of conserving the Banganga Temple Complex situated in the oldest part of downtown Mumbai. Classical vocal and instrumental music performers provide delightful concerts in a beautiful setting enhanced by magnificent sunsets.

Elephanta Festival
A motor launch carries visitors from the Gateway of India Monument to Elephanta Island, a small island about an hour and a half's journey from the city, to enjoy the very special annual experience of the Elephanta Festival. A selection of renowned Indian dancers and musicians perform against the dramatic backdrop of the island's cave temples, which are dedicated to Shiva, beneath a star-studded sky.

Venue: Elephanta Island; Date: 23-24 February 2007

Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of Wisdom and Prosperity. Celebrations are held throughout India and this is one of the highlights of the year for tourists visiting the country. The festival culminates in the murti of Ganesha being submerged in the Arabian sea.

Kala Ghoda Bazaar
Street musicians and performers add to the colourful atmosphere of the Sunday street bazaars held near the Jehangir Art Gallery in the pedestrian plaza, which becomes a hive of activity with stalls selling a variety of handcrafts, art and food.

Bandra Feast (Sep)
The feast day of Virgin Mary is celebrated in Bombay for a week beginning on a Sunday closest to the birthday of the Virgin Mary (Sep 8). The feast is held at the Basillica of Mount Mary in Bandra. A fair is held with huge Ferris wheels, amusements and rides, bands and shows. The devout trudges up the stairs of the church to light their candles.