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. |
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