Kala Ghoda Annual Festival, Mumbai

 Venue - Kala Ghoda district, South Mumbai

Dates / Days - First Saturday of February to the Second Sunday of February

Duration - 9 days 

Time - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entry - Free

Kala Ghoda is a happening, hip, trendy, creative district in South Mumbai. It is home to the top exclusive.designer cafes, Indie Art galleries, sidewalks full of innovative art installations, several heritage buildings like the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Bajaj Art Gallery, Educational institutions like Mumbai University, Elphinstone College, Jehangir Art Gallery, Rhythm House, Max Mueller Bhavan, David Sassoon Library to name a few of Mumbai's iconic landmarks.

Established in 1999, the Kala Ghoda Association holds its multicultural annual street festival that celebrates various fields like Films and movies, Theatre, Literature, World and Modern Art, Comedy, Food, Urban design and Architecture, that are divided into 12 sections.

Each section is handled by its respective team.

The purpose of starting this festival was to maintain and help grow Mumbai's rich Art and cultural heritage.

The twelve sections are - 

1. Dance - Shows are held for Indian cultural, contemporary and International dance forms. 

2. Food - Food Walks are arranged, Hundreds of food stalls serving authentic local fares, using local ingredients are put up, Demos and workshops by master chefs are also set up for public participation.

3. Music - A bunch of music concerts and shows involving Eclectic genres,, tributes to great music personalities, Interviews with musicians are arranged.

4. Heritage Walks - Heritage walks involve walking events as well as bus rides to various parts of Mumbai rich in culture, history, Arts etc.

5. Stalls - Hundreds of stalls are set up by the streets showcasing local artisans' works like paintings, ceramics, portraits, sculptures, clothes, shoes,crafts and home decor, traditional bags erc for the shopper to browse and buy to their heart's content.

6. Visual Arts - Innovative art installations are put up at various venues. 

7. Literature - Includes book launches, interviews and discussions with the authors, poetry reading.

8. Movies and Films - Off beat movies celebrating LGBT community, regional fare, documentaries, workshops on acting and various aspects of film making, discussions with industry greats are arranged.

9. Kids - Many interactive shows and workshops, movies, plays for kids is a special attraction.

10. Theatre - Plays in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Parsi languages 

11. Stand Up Comedy shows - An opportunity is provided to the upcoming as well as established Stand up comedians to showcase their talent.

12. Urban design and Architecture - Industry giants in the field of design and architecture participate in interviews, presentations, talks, discussions.

Here is a list of Venues of the festival -

1. Cross Maidan

2. Rampart Row 

3. Westside Cafeteria

4. Max Mueller Bhavan

5. The garden at the David Sasoon library

6. National gallery of modern art auditorium

7. Horniman Circle Garden

8. Tata store at Army and Navy building

9. The M C Ghia hall

10. The lawns and auditoriums at the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Goes without saying that the festival attracts thousands of visitors daily and most events, shows need pre-booking to avoid disappointment.

The Who's Who of the Mumbai Art scene, theatre, prominent writers, designers, film makers, musicians, singers, top chefs etc participate in some form or the other in the festival giving an opportunity to the public to enjoy their work and interact with them.

Entry being free, audiences and participants across all class ranges and social strata come together to celebrate the Spirit of Mumbai.

The festival cost is funded and sponsored by various corporations.

Vehicular traffic is not allowed for the duration of the festival.

Pictures - wikipedia

Ganeshotsav ( गणेशोत्सव ) in Maharashtra

Ganapati Bappa, Morya

Mangalmurti Morya 

Lalbaugcha Raja ( 2009 )

To say that Ganesh Utsav is one of the most beloved and popular Hindu  festivals of Maharashtra will be absolutely correct.

Popularised by the great freedom fighter Lokamanya Tilak during our freedom struggle to unite the Hindus, this festival has gained an immense following down the years.

Ganesh Chaturthi evokes excitement, joy, devotion in millions of Lord Ganpati devotees all over Maharashtra.

The Chaturthi after the Amavasya in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada ( भाद्रपद ) is celebrated as Ganeshotsav /  Vinayak Chaturthi.

As per the Gregorian calendar it falls between 22 nd of August and 20 th of September. 

It is believed that on this day Lord Ganpati leaves his abode in Mt Kailash along with his mother Gauri and visits his devotees to take away all their obstacles, difficulties and bring prosperity.

He is the Lord of new beginnings, wisdom and intelligence and the destroyer of obstacles. ( विघ्नहर्ता )  

Due to a boon by his father Lord Shiv, Lord Ganpati's name is evoked before the start of any prayer, mantra, auspicious occasion, new endeavour, important enterprise.

The making Lord Ganpati idols ( मूर्ति ) starts almost a month before the festival with the Padya pooja ( पदयपूजन ) 

Historically Ganesh murtis were made from clay and immersed in the local water bodies.

Commercialisation lead to idols being made on a large scale with plaster of paris that does not dissolve in water and leads to water pollution.

The circle of time has again made clay idols popular among environment conscious devotees.

Booking for the idols is done in advance and is a much joyous activity for the devotees to choose as per their likes, budget etc.

The festival lasts from 11/2 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 9 days or 11 days as per individual choice and capacity, with the large pandals going in for 21 / 51 days as well. 

Homes are cleaned and thermocol temples prepared for Ganesh ji to reside in. 

The temples are decorated with innumerable decorative articles,fairy lights, oil lamps, flowers etc.

Rangoli is drawn outside the main doors. 

Similarly, Public and Saarvajanik pandals also leave no stone unturned in erecting unique and special temporary abodes for the Lord.

The installation of the idol is done either a day before or on the first day with the chanting of religious mantras and prayers. Families, neighbours, friends participate with great vigour. 

Kumkum, sandalwood, turmeric tikkas are applied to the Lord's forehead. Offerings of sweets, fruits and flowers are placed. Oil lamps are lit and it is a must that the main oil lamp should not extinguish till the time of the last prayer when the Lord leaves the abode.

Morning and evening prayers are held with great devotion. Prasad consisting of the Lord's favourite modak along with other sweets like ladoos, karanji, fruits is distributed. Sarvajanik and group meals are arranged. Many devotees fast during these 11 days. 

Some social organizations associated with the big and popular pandals also hold public welfare medical and blood donation camps etc.

Dances, games, songs and music, fun and frolic become a part of the atmosphere in these 11 days. The festival unites devotees across all age groups, class and social divides and gives a feeling of oneness and unity. It has become a popular ritual for the people to visit various well-known public  pandals for the Lord's darshan to seek his blessings. The huge and beautiful Idols installed  bring much joy and happiness to all. 

The 11th day is Anant Chaturdashi when the Lord leaves to go back to his parents, Lord Shiv and Parvati at Mt Kailash.

Accordingly, the idols are taken with great pomp and vigour, dances and musical bands to the nearest water bodies for immersion.

The chants of

 " Ganpati Bappa Morya...

    Pudhchya varshi lavkar ya " 

are heard everywhere, on every devotee's lips. 

Most famous Aarti of Lord Ganesh - Sukhakarta Dukhaharta by the 17 th century Saint, Samarth Ramdas

A few of the popular public pandals -

1. Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai

2. Andhericha Raja, Mumbai

3. Shri Kasba Ganpati Mandal, Pune

4. Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust, Pune 

5. Tulsi Baug, Pune 

6. Ajoba Ganpati, Solapur

( *Related post to be read - Gauri Poojan )

Pictures source - wikipedia

Gauri Ganpati festival, Maharashtra

 

Every year the state of Maharashtra bursts with joy and colour during the Ganeshotsav festival  that comes in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

Lord Ganesh is welcomed home and worshipped with all rituals, prayers, pomp and devotion. 

However, not many people know that on the third day of the festival Ma Gauri idol is also placed alongside his.

In many parts of India, Gauri is considered as Ma Parvati , the mother of Lord Ganesh. However, in Maharashtra, the belief prevalent is that she is Lord Ganesh's sister who has come to visit her brother. Hence, 2 idols of Gauri are placed by the idol of Lord Ganesh, the two idols symbolising two sisters.The elder sister is called Jyeshtha ( ज्येष्ठ ) Gauri while the younger one is called Kanishth ( कनिष्ठ ) Gauri. The idols can be human sized or even only the face. She comes for a visit lasting only 3 days. That means from the third to the fifth day of Ganeshotsav. 

The first day the idols are welcomed home with prayers. Gauri sthapan is performed as per all rituals and traditions. The full sized Gauri is dressed and bejeweled like a Maharashtrian married woman. The sari colours are mostly like a bride. Everything that a bride wears is put on her ; Bridal sari, Mangalsutra, Kumkum, Haldi, Necklaces, Dark green, red and gold bangles, Earrings, maang tika, rings, armlets, kamarband ( waist chain ) , anklets, toe rings, nose ring, Bindi and flower veni in her hair. 

On the second day, Satyanarayan Puja is performed by the womenfolk. Variety of prasad like ladoos, karanji, kheer, basundi, modak are offered to her.

Relatives, friends, neighbors are invited to pray and pay obeisance to her. As she is a married woman, she is believed to grant happiness in another married woman's life, be it a happy marriage or a blessing of a child etc. 

On the second day, a variety of naivedya is prepared by the women of the family along with help from their female friends and neighbors. No stone is left unturned in preparing a feast for her.

For she is visiting her maternal house and being the daughter of the family, she is to be pampered and indulged.

Rice, Roti, Puranpoli, Amil, vegetable dishes ranging from mixed veg, potatoes and brinjals to dry ones,  Koshimbir, Puris, fried papads, Bhajiya, Chutney etc are prepared. Everyone in the family, neighborhood, social circle is invited for her 'Darshan' and to partake in the feast. Devotees, especially married women, apply kumkum and haldi on her forehead, offer her blouse material, coconut, fruits, flowers and sweets. They pray for their wishes to be fulfilled. 

The third day is the day of her visarjan, that is immersion in a local water body. Accordingly prayers are performed and then she is left alone in the room with all the naivedya prepared for her; ladoo, modak, karanji, anarsa etc. The doors and windows are tightly shut so that no one watches her eat. After a while, the doors are opened to check the things she had. 

Later on, she is taken with all pomp, music , and dance in a procession along with her brother ( Fifth day Ganpati immersion ) or if the Ganpati idol is kept for more than five days, then only the Gauri immersion is to be performed.

Just like her brother's visit brings joy, happiness and prosperity in the devotees' family, so does it with Ma Gauri as well. She blesses them all with happiness, health, wealth and answers their prayers. She leaves her maternal home and promises to visit again next year.

( Picture courtesy -  Anju Bhagnari and Dr. Hitesha Rohira )

Festival of Fireflies, Bhandardara

 Fireflies festival 

                                            Fireflies 

Location - Bhandardara- Harishchandragad Kalsubai forest sanctuary.

District - Ahmednagar

State - Maharashtra

Season - Pre-monsoon

For the tourists who seek adventure and thrill in nature, Fireflies Festival in Bhandardara provides it in spades.

 Fireflies emit light in their mating ritual and the mating period being pre-monsoon, many camps are arranged in the Valley of Shadows and the nearby Samrad village.

The forest camps are set in the region where thousands of fireflies abound.

It's just a boat ride away across Arthur lake.

The area is totally free from light pollution and hence is one of the darkest spots in the state of Maharashtra.

It makes it ideal for star-gazers and nature lovers to camp out here for the study of the stars and the milky way in addition to the observation of the glowing fireflies.

The thousands of glittering fireflies light up the dark forest parts and it goes without saying that the sight is ethereal to say the least. 

There are a number of camps organized that the tourist can choose from.

These camps provide the members with all the necessary camp site equipment like tents, washrooms etc. Meals are also included in their plans.

They handle the transportation as well as the other necessary formalities. 

The camps often have experienced guides to lead the groups through the forest trails up to the region where the fireflies are found.

It is a most enchanting experience that campers are sure to capture both in their cameras as also in their hearts. 

( Other activities provided by the camps include bonfires, star-gazing, morning walks etc. )

( Picture by Andrew Bui )

The Holy City , Nashik ( Maharashtra )

One of the holiest pilgrimage places in India , Nashik is not only a  hub of ancient culture and history but also a modern , technologically  well developed centre for a number of Industries. 

It is one of the four holy centres of the Maha kumbh Mela held on the banks of the sacred Godavari every 12 years. 

Areawise, It's the fourth largest city in Maharashtra, with the holy river Godavari cutting it into 2 equal halves. 

The local and the official  language is Marathi.

But Hindi and English are  just as prevalent.

           source - maps of india.com

              Kalaram Temple ( nashik.gov.in )

         Dhammagiri ( nashik.gov.in )

It is home to innumerable temples , shrines and holy places due to its proximity to the Godavari.

Also ,it has been mentioned in the Holy Ramayana to be the place where Lord Rama had camped along with Sita Mata and Lakshman at Panchvati during his exile of 14 years.

Here the incident of cutting off the nose of Surpanakha, sister of Ravana, had been carried out by Lakshman on the orders of Lord Rama when she had first  tried to lure Lord Rama and then Lakshman. 

Naka means nose in Sanskrit and hence the name Nashik.

Sita Mata was consequently kidnapped by Ravana as an act of revenge.

Another pilgrimage place  related to the Ramayana,  being Anjaneri, the birth place of Lord Hanuman

          Ramkund ( nashik.gov.in )

Trimbakeshwar ( wikipedia )

Present day Nashik is a beautiful amalgamation of both ancient history , mythology, holy places and also a  home for a number of leading Industries, Vineyards , Wineries , Army training centres.

Being a tourist hot spot , it is dotted with beautiful hotels , lodges , villas alongside the budget hotels and Dharamshalas.

It lies in the lap of natural beauty with hills, waterfalls, forts, dams , forests and rivers.

The climate is conducive for the growth of grapes that has led to it  being the biggest centre of Vineyards and Wineries in India.

It is aptly called " The wine capital of India " 

          Pandav caves ( nashik.gov.in )

             Panchvati ( nashik.gov.in  )

The pleasant months to visit are October to March.

It is well connected by roads,railways as also the airways.

It's domestic airport is owned by HAL which uses it for testing, building, development and maintenance of planes for the Indian Air force.

Thus, the places to visit in Nashik include a wide range be it forts , river banks, museums, dams, waterfalls, caves , holy places, temples , vineyards.

Most travellers include in their itinerary the nearby Shirdi as well for a darshan of Shri Saibaba Temple.

        All religion temple , Tapovan

              ( Source - nashik.gov.in )

         Kumbh Mela ( wikipedia )

 

List of Tourist Places - Nashik City

1. Anjaneri Hills

2. Ahivant Gad

3. Artillery Museum

4. Arjun Adventure Park

5. Brahmagiri Hill

6. Coin Museum

7. Chamar Leni

8. Dudh sagar Falls 

9. Dugarwadi Waterfalls

10. Deolali Camp

11. Dhodap Trek

12. Dabhosa Waterfalls

13. Dhammagiri - Vipassana Centre

14. Fun World

15. Gangapur Dam

16. Harihar Fort

17. Jain Temple

18. Kapileshwar Temple

19. Kalaram Temple

20. Le Fromage

21. Main Bazaar

22. Mulher Trek

23. MuktiDham Mandir 

24. Mangi Tungi Temple

25. Nashik caves

26. Panchvati

27. Pandavleni Caves

28. Ramkund

29. Ramshej Fort

30. Sula Vineyards

31. Saptashrungi

32. Sita Gufa 

33. Salher Trek

34. Shubham Water World

35. Sundarnarayan Temple

36. Shagun Resort and Water Park

37. Shrine of Infant Jesus

38. Shree Kapaleshwar Mahadev Mandir

39. Shree Navshya Ganpati Mandir

40. Sinnar

41. Trimbakeshwar

42. Tringalwadi Fort

43. Vallonne Vineyards

44. Ved Mandir

45. York Winery and Tasting Room

46. Zonkers Adventure Park