Maharashtra is a state where a millennium of culture weaves a tapestry of myriad charms. For the people of Maharashtra who are regarded as very vibrant natured, all the festivals are celebrated with ardent fervor and enthusiasm. In fact the festivals in Maharashtra are a true reflection of the culture and tradition of the state with all its multi-hued customs and rituals. The Maharashtrian calendar is dotted with a year long procession of festivals throughout the year. Their love for festive celebration is well reflected through the various festive occasions.

Hindu Festivals
Diwali
The `festival of lights` is celebrated in the state of Maharashtra in a much different manner than the rest of the country. Diwali is one of the mucha awaited festivals in Maharashtra and is celebrated in a conventional way. In a traditional Marathi family, the Diwali celebrations start with `Vasu-baras` that falls on the `Ashwin Krushna Dwadashi` tithi according to the Marathi calendar. During this festival perform worship in the honor of mother-cows having calves which in turn represents gratitude towards cow for serving them and their children.

Holi
The Maharashtrians have their unique and grand style of celebrating the `festival of colors`. This festival is known in this state by the name of `Shimga` or `Rang Panchami` and is particularly popular among the fisher-folk. This festival of Maharashtra calls for unrestrained merry-making. On this special day the people of this state make bonfire and burn the effigy of Holika to signify the victory of good over evil. The flavor of the festival is well consumed with delicacies like `Puran Poli`.

Makar Sankranti
The tern `sankrant` means the passing away of one zodiac sign to the other. The people of Maharashtra celebrate this festival with equal zest and excitement ad is therefore reckoned as one of the tradituional festivals in Maharashtra. They exchange good wishes and greetings on this day. Sweet and crunchy laddoos made of sesame and jaggery known as `tilgul` forms the favorite delicacies.

Nag Panchami
This festival is celebrated in honor of the `Snake God` and is one of the most important festivals in Maharashtra. As the worship of the Snake God forms an important ritual of the inhabitants of Maharashtra, clay icons of cobras are venerated in homes. The devotees offer milk and sweets to the deity and the snake charmers carry cobras in the baskets and collect offerings from the people. The women folk apply henna on their hands and feet and indulge themselves in various cultural performances.

Pola
This is a harvest festival and is celebrated all over the state of Maharashtra especially in the rural regions. On this special day the bullocks are regarded as an integral part of the occupation of agriculture are worshipped with much devotion and dedication. First of all they are bathed, colorfully decorated and then taken out in the processions accompanies by the music of drumbeats and another musical instrument called `lehzim`. The peasant folk participate in it with much enthusiasm and excitement.

Gudhi Padwa
This festival is generally observed as the New Year celebrations by the Maharashtrians. `Gudhi` is a victory symbol characterized by a bamboo stick with a colored silk cloth and garlanded with flowers and sweet meats. On the first day of the New Year the Maharashtrians erect the gudhis on Padwa. This is also regarded as one of the most auspicious days according to the Hindu traditions. The true aura of the festivals in Maharashtra finds an articulate dimension with this Gudhi Padwa.

Narali Pournima
The full moon day of the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar is celebrated in different parts of the state and has been renamed as `Narali Pournima`, `Rakhi Pournima`, `Shravani Pournima` or `Raksha Bandhan`. This festival is so named because of the offerings of coconuts made by the people to the Sea-God on this day. This festival also marks the advent of the new fishing season and the appeasement of the Sea-God follows before the fisher-folk sail out on their beautifully embellished boats. The festival also calls for unrestrained jollity. The festivals of brothers and sisters, Raksha Bandhan is also observed on the same day.

Gokul Ashtami
This festival marks the birth of the `Lord of Love`, Lord Krishna. On this day most of the devotees fast till the span when the birth of Lord Krishna is announced. A preparation of flattened rice and curds known as `Gopal Kala` is made on this day. Another fun filled ritual which is performed on this day is dahi-handi which is actually clap pots stuffed with curd, puffed rice and milk and strung up high on the streets. One would also be delighted to see a group of enthusiastic young men and women form human pyramids and try to reach these and break them open. Gokul Ashtami thus clearly reflects the real verve of the festivals in Maharashtra.

Ganesh Chaturthi
The patron deity of the state of Maharashtra, Lord Ganesh is worshipped on this day. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the state and the eleven days festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculptured Ganesh idols in homes and `Mandaps` or large tents, which are beautifully, decorated depicting religious themes. Many cultural events are also organized and the people participate in them with much enthusiasm. After the festival gets over the huge idols of the Lord are taken out in a procession and then immersed into the nearby lake or river.

Dussehra
This much awaited festival in Maharashtra celebrates the victory of good over evil and is observed in a multitude of colors in the state. It is not only considered as a very auspicious day for the start of a new venture but also the time for worship of tools of trade, machinery, vehicles, books and weapons. As the evening falls the villagers gather together to worship the Shami tree. The leaves of the Apta tree are exchanged among relatives and friends as gold.

Holi/Vasant Panchami
After a successful winter harvest the people of Maharashtra get ready to welcome the season of Spring. Bonfires are lit during the night time and the people are believed to worship the Fire-God who is also believed to ward off the evil. During the festive celebration on the next day people greet each other with colors and plenty of music, dance and sweets serve to enhance the festive spirit.

State Festivals
The Elephant Festival
A small island near the capital of the state, Mumbai known as Elephanta forms the most favorite destination for the culture lovers and it is here that the Elephant festival makes its presence felt every year amidst much enthusiasm and excitement. Every year the renowned dancers and musicians enthrall the audience with their exquisite performance

The Banganga Festival
This festival is held every year in the month of January at Banganga. It is in this popular festival that several talented artists from all over the nation make their presence felt by their superb cultural performances. The renowned cultural enthusiasts attend this cultural performance to make it a grand success.

Pune Festival
This festival was originally conceived as a localized cultural event. But in the due course of time it has gained national importance. In the recent times it has evolved into one of the nation`s landmark cultural happenings. This festival is also regarded as a unique platform for the exponents of cultural dance and music. This week long festival provides a feast of entertainment to promote the modern trends as well as to relish the ancient heritage of Maharashtra.

The Ellora Festival
The Ellora festival is organized by MTDC every year in the month of December and is a well accepted festivals in Maharashtra. Renowned artists from all over the nation participate in this festival. Surrounded by thousand years old cave, artists perform in this exquisite backdrop to please both the divine creations and the divinity.