Each group has its favourite locality in the city; Hindus in Giragaum, Muslims in Chakla, Mandvi, Umerkhadi and Nagpada; Parsees in Khetwadi, Dhobi Talao and Grant Road; Jews in Samuel Street and Israel mohalla; industrial workers (once there were thousands of them working in cloth mills, today most of the mills are closed so most of them have moved out) in the central area of Chinchpokli, Lalbaug and Parel. All these religious, ethnic groups observe their respective festivals with traditional enthusiasm and fervour. In nutshell, celebrations of a large number of festivals in Mumbai are observed by the masses. Find out the list of fairs and festivals celebrated in Mumbai in different months with religious zeal.
The Hindu calendar year starts with the first day of the Chaitra month, which falls in April of English calendar and it is celebrated as Gudi Padva. On this day Gudhis are hoisted atop houses, which are attractively decorated. This day being one of the three and half Shubh Muhurta, (good omen) people start new works and ventures on this day.
Then comes the Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, which again falls in Chaitra. North Indians settled in Mumbai stage shows of Ram Leela. It is a day to foster social and moral values envisaged by Lord Rama in the society. The birthday of Shivaji Maharaj, Shiv Jayanti, is celebrated ceremoniously through cultural programs, rallies and processions in the city in the month of May. The Maharashtrian fondly remembers the greatness of Shivaji, without whom, Maharashtra would not have been there in the present form.
Parsee community celebrates Jamshedji Navroz Festival falling in March / April. The Parsee New Year starts on this day with get-togethers and merry-making.
It is celebration time for the lovable and peace-loving Parsees, when they bid adieu to the old year on the occasion of Pateti and welcome the New Year on Navroz day the following morning. Those, who follow the popular Shahenshahi calendar, the last day of the year in the Zoroastrian calendar, celebrate Pateti, in August. The day occupies a special significance for the Parsees as it is observed as day of thanksgiving and a time to atone for the sins that might have been committed during the year, so that one can begin the New Year on the positive note. The other two Zoroastrian calendars are the Dasili and the Kadimi, according to which Pateti and the New Year falls in March and July respectively.
The word Pateti is derived from the word Patet signifying special prayers that are offered in the Avestan language to Zarathushtra (the Zoroastrian prophet). The Parsees remember the departed ones and offer prayers for five days and Pateti marks the end of the period. They believe that the soul of the departed descends from Heaven during this time, and the living offer prayers for their salvation. The day begins with families, dressed up in their new traditional attire, offering prayers at the Agyari or Fire temples with sandalwood, flowers and lighting of lamps. The sacred ash is often smeared on the self by the devout. Most of them offer charity on this day. At home a feast follows with specially prepared delicacies like white rice, yellow dal and fried fish machchi patia and curd with sev (vermicelli), sali boti, and patra-ni-machchi . Most of them throw parties for their friends and relatives at home. They also arrange Jashrt, which is a thanksgiving ceremony performed by two or more priests for the well-being of the community, organized on various other occasions including house-warming, birthdays, and other functions. The day after Pateti is Navroz, the Parsee New Year, celebrated with much pomp and enthusiasm by members of the community. It is indeed time for joy and happiness for two lakh Parsees around the world. They participate in the celebrations and acknowledge with gratitude the contribution of the community in the field of culture, education, business and nation building.
Christians celebrate Mount Mary’s Feast in September at St. Mary’s Church at Bandra. This Feast is open to all others to participate to seek blessings of Mother Mary.
Festival of lights, Diwali or Deepawali provides a unique opportunity to people belonging to diverse religions to rejoice and reaffirm the bonds of love and friendship through exchange of greetings and sweets. Falling in October/November, this festival brings light in the life of people who propagate it by illuminating their houses, temples and the surroundings with oil lamps, colourful rangolis and pew costumes. Deepawali festival includes Padva (Bali Pratipada), again an auspicious occasion, to start new works and ventures, Bhaubeej (Bhai Duj) — depicting the immortal relationship of sister and brother and Laxmi Poojan. On Laxmi Poojan day, especially the traders from all communities worship their account books and vow for honest trading practices. The glory of this festival helps the common man to end the darkness of ignorance and poverty. Maharashtrians, wherever they are owing to their practical compulsions, make it a point to gather at their ancestral house to celebrate Diwali with their beloved.
Ramzan-ld is one of the important festivals of Muslims. It is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramzan. The devotees observe complete fast during the day in this month and break it at the sunset. The timing of this festival is decided as per the lunar calendar. Prophet Abraham is said to have sacrificed his son as per the wishes of the Almighty. To remember this sacrifice, the day is observed as Id-ul- Zuha by the Muslim community.
On Christmas day, Christian community in Mumbai remains in joyous mood and also forth looking for the New Year’s Eve. They attend churches, exchange especially homemade cakes and greetings. As like Deepawali, people belonging to other faiths also participate in the celebrations of Christmas extravaganza.
And then, there is this Ganapati Festival, the ten- twelve daylong celebration of the Elephant-headed Hindu God of wisdom, Lord Ganesh. This festival has a unique history. During the freedom movement, great social reformer Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak initiated this festival to bring the people together, in order to build their unity against the British. Now it is celebrated in households as well as through Sarwajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals on large scale all over Maharashtra. Big and small clay images of Lord Ganesh are installed amidst tastefully illuminated decorations. People wait for this occasion with great enthusiasm, which manifests into their feeling of belonging towards the community. At the conclusion of this festival the idols are immersed at various chowpattis like Dadar, Juhu and Girgaum. The memories of the celebrations linger in the minds of the people till next year’s August/September and the chanting of Ganapati Bappa Moraya starts reverberating once again!
Comes monsoon, and the little villages in and around Pen in the Thane district as well as pockets of Girgaum and Lalbaug in Mumbai, stir up to the sight of huge mounds of clay taking aesthetic shapes for this festival. Ganesh-making is a popular small-scale industry in Mumbai and its suburban parts. Around five lakh Ganesh idols are produced every year. There are families engaged in this industry since last, more than hundred years. Work on Ganesh idols starts nearly three months prior to the festival, which falls in Bhadrapad month of the Hindu calendar. The clay is specially ordered from Pen, the citadel of Ganesh statues, or Bhavnagar in adjacent Gujarat state. The clay is put into moulds and then left for drying for nearly a month. Drying of clay is very essential to ensure that it does not crack when installed in houses. A crack in the idol during the period of worship is considered inauspicious and a harbinger of troubles. The idol is immediately immersed in water if a crack is found or the statute breaks up. Once dried, the clay is ready to be coated with ‘body paint' as it is known. The process of painting a Ganesh idol involves very long duration. Several coats of paints are applied on it. However, it is the painting of the eyes of Ganapati that indicates the painter's caliber and his claim to be a master craftsman. The eyes of the Ganapati are the soul of the statue. His eyes have to be painted small, yet they need to encompass an ocean of compassion in them. Every devotee searches for Ganesh’s overwhelming benevolence in those eyes. After painting the eyes it is turn of the lord’s ornaments that receive special attention. The range of ornaments is as mind boggling as dazzling. From intricate delicate artwork to an impression of the royalty, the elephant-god, appears all ready to bestow his devotee with ‘vaibhava sampanna’ (full of wealth) as he sits on his gold studded throne decked in ‘golden’ ornaments. While most devotees stick to a form that has been worshipped by their families for generations, few dare to experiment with new forms and postures as far as family Ganesh idols are concerned.
The huge Ganesh idols ranging from three to eight meters in height are a challenge to most artisans, a test of their imagination and creativity. It is the Sarvajanik (public) Ganesh that assumes novel forms: from being studded with multi¬coloured marbles, 25 paise coins, coconuts, conches, coloured rice grains, to being presented as ah owner of a cyber cafe, a batsman in action, the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati (a popular TV serial hosted by superstar Amitabh Bachchan) to even sharing a word with politicians and the country’s latest celebrity.
Strict rituals and traditions mark the purchase of the Ganesh idol. While eighty per cent of the people stick to the same sculptor; only twenty per cent really try to experiment. Some even place their demands from USA and England, where they have migrated. Though now settled in foreign lands they refuse to change the sculptor from whom their families have been purchasing the statues.
While the new generation visualizes the festival as an occasion to socialize and let down their hair, for those struggling with their careers and family responsibility, devotion to Ganesh appears like the only solace in troubled times. When it comes to the kind of rituals to be followed during the festival nobody takes a chance. The festival, which received popularity due to the increasing efforts of freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak, today is a far cry from its original motivation to unite people. Today it is competition that goads craftsmen to outdo a rival Ganesh Mandal. The height of competition is evidently proportionate to the height of the Ganesh idol, with each Sarvajanik Mandal ensuring a lavish and original background to attract more devotees.
Keshavji Naik Chawl situated in the by-lanes of Khadilkar road at Girgaum in South Mumbai celebrates this festival since 1893. It was one of the five earliest places, where the festival was started after Tilak’s clarion call and survives to date, due to the efforts of the chawl committee and sheer perseverance. Today, Keshavji Naik Chawl is the most respected name in the city and state, having a unique place of its own in history standing shoulder to shoulder with famous Ganesh festivals like the Dagdoosheth Ganapati and Kasbapeth Ganapati of Pune and others. The celebrations have not lost their eminence and charm as many staunch devotees visit the venue over the years. Even residents, who have shifted to other places come back during the time to participate in the programs and the festival, which holds a sentimental place in their hearts.
The nine days of Navratri are meant for the worship of Goddess Durga. This festival is also celebrated all over the state and by various communities like Bengalis in Mumbai in the form of Durga Puja. Goddess Durga is regarded as the destroyer of all evils in the society. The Gujratis celebrate Navratri festival with Garba dance. Now, numbers of private organizers have mushroomed in Mumbai who arrange shows of Garba dance on large scale involving crores of rupees. The last, i.e., tenth day of this festival is celebrated as Dussehra, another auspicious occasion. Dussehra is a symbol of victory of good over evil. Therefore, it inculcates a sense of responsibility in one and all to safeguard the society from all possible manifestations of the evil forces.
The birthday of Lord Krishna, which falls in the month of Shravan, is celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami. Lord Krishna was born at midnight; hence devotees throng the Krishna temples to witness this occasion with traditional zeal. Bhajans and kirtans depicting Lord Krishna’s life and works, his childhood acts and the message of compassion and love propagated by him, are sung on the occasion.
Fisher folk, the Kolis don’t venture in the sea during the monsoon. One reason is that the raging sea may pose danger to their lives and boats, another, it is the time of laying eggs for most of the fishes. When the season is over, the Kolis express their gratitude towards the sea and ask his permission to venture into it for fishing by offering him a coconut. This day is called Narali Poornima or the Coconut Day. A special rice using jaggery is prepared on this occasion. This day is also celebrated as Rakshabandhan. Sisters tie rakhis around their brothers’ wrists as solemn affirmation of their bond and a reminder to the brother to take care of his sister in all difficult times!
There are some other festivals, which are unique to Mumbai. They include Banganga and Elephanta festival. The Bangaga Festival is arranged by the Maharashtra government since 1992 (probably in the month of January) at the backdrop of the historic Banganga Temple located at Walkeshwar. It also houses the water tank built by the Shilahar kings of the eleventh century. Normally a rare treat of Indian classical music is given to the music lovers of Mumbai, in which renowned singers and musicians are invited to participate. Legend has it that epic hero Ram had visited this place in south Mumbai along with his wife Sita and brother Laxman during his exile. Not finding a drop of -water, he shot an arrow towards the ground and water sprung there in the form of Ganga; hence the name Ban (arrow) Ganga (water).
Situated on an island in the Arabian sea, the cave temples of Elephanta spring to life in the month of February during the Elephanta Festival. The cool breeze from the surrounding deep blue sea further soothes the spirits of the audience who are enthralled by the flawless performance of renowned vocalists and dancers from across the country. This festival is arranged every year (under the more than hundred year old Banyan tree) by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and is gaining more popularity every year. Additional launches from Gateway of India and trains are specially introduced for the smooth passage of the audience to the venue.
Year-end festivities also include Kala Ghoda Fair arranged every Sunday from the month of December to February next. The fair focuses on handicrafts, garments, paintings and cuisines, which lure the people to have a glimpse of the ethnic taste. Occasionally ‘Lavni’, a traditional Maharashtrian folk dance, is organized to give a local touch to the show. The fair derives its name from Kala Ghoda where it is held.
The changing times have given rise to Times Festival. It adds enthusiasm to an already, changed atmosphere of Dusshera-Diwali in the months of October-November. Arranged in open spaces or grounds the festival of shop-n-fun is fast catching up the imagination of the discerning buyers. There are hundreds of stalls erected by companies depicting electronic items, clothes, leather articles, cosmetics, computers, crockery, curtains-linen, bicycles to household durables, various consumables, IT center and yes, eateries of all climes. You may not need to stack your pockets with currency to purchase here as all approved credit cards are accepted in this festival.
Villagers of various districts in Western Maharashtra have flocked to Mumbai for livelihood, since ages. Villagers from same district or tehsil have formed their groups (mandals) to carry out extra-curricular activities and of course, to share their sorrows and happiness with each other. Naturally, all festivals and celebrations are celebrated with great fervour and respect. The celebrations carry with them the special ‘village touch’. Fairs and Poojas (worshipping) are carried out here. On the occasion of Gokul Ashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna) bhajans-kirtans (chanting of religious songs and orations) along with Bharud (a folk song) are presented throughout the night.
But celebration of Dussehra by these groups stands out in all other celebrations. Dussehra being a holiday all group members get a chance to be present in the room at a time (otherwise they rarely see each other owing to their working shifts). The preparations for Dussehra start right from the morning but the actual events unfold from four in the evening. ‘Lezim’ dance is to go first on the beats of Halgi (a traditional instrument made up of animal skin tightened around a ring). The villagers also form the Lezim teams. The “chchullum chchullum ” sound of Lezim and “tang-taang-dhitaang-tipaang-dhipaang” sound of the Halgi mesmerizes the dancers as well as the onlookers. The dancers don a special saffron turban, full sleeves shirt and dhoti. By this time other team members are busy preparing a huge bunch of small branches of Shami tree. When the fever of the Lezim dance subsides all gather around the bunch of branches to loot them. Legend has it that Kuber had showered gold coins in order to repel the attack by Lord Indra. These coins had fallen on the Shami tree thus the practice to exchange the leaves of Shami (called as gold leaves) as a gesture of good wishes on Dussehra day began.
Thousands of people from nearby places gather to witness this loot. The chief of the group whistles and at that time all group members charge towards the branches and start looting, snatching and running away with their catch. At times the competition becomes fierce, but once the ‘loot’ is over everybody greets the other person with an embrace and exchanges the golden leaves. Then the group collectively visits other mandals and exchange greetings. Such moments in the life of these villagers are far more ‘golden’ than the yellow metal itself.
Jews in Mumbai eagerly wait for the day of their ‘Sabbath' festival, which falls in May. In the motherland of Jews, Israel, these days usher in the harvesting and storage of grains. During these three-day celebrations Jews gather in their place of worship i.e. the Synagogue. After the prayers they remain awake during the night. Special sweets are prepared and fresh grains, fruits are offered to the god. Story of ‘Roz' is also read out on this day. Jews also celebrate ‘Rosh Hashana’ i.e. the New Year day. ‘Hanukkah’ is an eight-day festival of lights which begins in the month of December. It commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in 165 BC after its desecration by the Syrian King. Other traditional Jew festivals are Tishba-e-Aab, Kippur, Yorn Habbikhrim, and Simhath Torah etc., which are celebrated by them with enthusiasm.
Novena Festival of Ramedi Mata starts in the month of June. The church of Ramedi Mata is situated in Vasai in neighbouring Thane district. On every Saturday of this month people of all religions and faith gather in the church for prayers. Ramedi Mata is regarded as an incarnation of Jesus Christ’s mother Mary. The worshippers believe that they can get rid of incurable diseases with the blessings of the Mata. The roots of this belief go back to Portuguese times. The word ‘ramedi’ is an aberration of the Portuguese word ‘remedios’ meaning curing of the diseases. Ramedi Mata was famous all over the world during these times. European travelers used to visit this place. The worshippers mainly include people from North Vasai and fisher folk from Koliwada. Some come walking from far away distances. The Vasai Christian community has accorded a place of pilgrimage to this church. Ramedi Mata is a unique symbol of enduring hope cutting across all religions and practices.
The ten days in the month of October-November from Ashwin Shudh Pratipada (i.e. Ghatasthapana) to Vijaya Dashmi (i.e. Dussehra) spread an atmosphere of festivities throughout Mumbai. The names of festivals may differ, but it is certainly insightful to see how this festival of repaying the favour of the mother earth, who gives bountiful of harvest, is celebrated with different styles like Navratra, Garba, Ramleela, Durgapuja, Vijayotsav. This is the season in which farmers worship their land, warriors their weapons, workers their tools and students worship the goddess of knowledge, Saraswati.
The ‘garba’ played in the Navratrotsav (literally meaning festival of 9 nights) in Mumbai has now taken form of festival of youth. Actually the dance of Dandiya Raas (played with 2 sticks, one in each hand) originally related to the state of Gujarat, but now, it is celebrated throughout the city and the suburbs surpassing all boundaries. Its language is also one... like the Mumbaiyya Hindi and the cosmopolitan face of the city. The origin of the word Garba is in the word Garbha. Through series of aberrations it has come to stay as Garba. The clay pots in Navratra symbolize the Garbha (i.e., foetus) and the lamp placed inside it is the seed. The Garba dance is played in circular fashion by keeping the pots in the center. This dancing is to felicitate the reproductive capacity of the woman and the earth. The songs sung while dancing also reflect the social issues and the need of equality. During the freedom struggle a message of patriotism used to be conveyed through these songs. Today the Garba songs have lost their soul. Words have become mum. Instead what reverberate in the ear during the charged nights are only the tune, the lavishness, costly dresses and mind-boggling music. Pop Dandiya and Pop Garba are ruling the roost in the heart of young Mumbaikars who are out for fun and fun only. Such big shows attract prizes ranging from motorbikes to Europe tour with live coverage on special television channels and the Internet. The only condition imposed on this otherwise free-for-all atmosphere is the night time limit by the authorities.
There is saying in West Bengal that ‘whenever four Bengalis gather at one place, they can immediately arrange for a Durga Puja. It has been equally proven true by the Bhadralok and Baudi residing in Mumbai who have integrated their Durga Puja festival in the cultural atmosphere of Mumbai. Estimated ten lakh Bengalis living in Mumbai celebrate this festival with great fanfare which, again, is open to all who believe in the mighty power of Maa Durga, the destroyer of all evils. The history of Durga Puja in Mumbai dates back to 1929 AD when around 120 Bengali families took the initiative in Grant Road area on the terrace of a building. Today, the Puja pandals are erected at several places including Shivaji Park, Bandra Linking Road, Santa Cruz, Ramkrishna Mission at Khar, Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri, Goregaon, Kandivili, Mulund and at others in New Mumbai. The ‘puja’ is celebrated for four days starting from the sixth day of the Navratra. On eight and ninth day the Shivaji Park resembles a huge fair.
One can easily spot Babu Moshais with their families savouring on a variety of fish preparations and rosogollas. Enthusiasts throng stalls selling Bengali sarees and books etc. The cultural programs in the evening take the celebrations to dizzy heights. Performers in these programs are specially called from Kolkata. Bengali songs take lead over other musicals. The increasing participation of non- Bengali people in the celebrations has prompted the organizers to stage shows even of Marathi plays. Most of the Bangala- Mumbaikars end the eighth and ninth day by biting into non-vegetarian items. They include Doi Machch, Machher Jhol (fish curry), rice and homely sweets. Like the Ganapati Festival, Bengalis immerse the Durga idols in the sea on the tenth day.
Another unique feature of Navratra in Mumbai is the Ramlila, which arrived here along with the North Indians. Earlier they used to visit their native places in Dussehra. Later owing to increased industrial activities their visits decreased and they started the Ramlila shows in Mumbai itself. Pandit Shobhanath Mishra set up the first Ramlila Samiti in 1954 AD in the Fort area. Later on others took cue from him and established Ramliala Committees. Money was no constraint. Today Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan, Shivaji Park, Chowpatty, Malad, Borivili, Wadala, Chembur, Mulund and Kalyan are the main famous destinations of Ramlila festival. Ramlila mainly includes stage-shows based on Ramayana. For all the ten days people are engrossed in the life of Lord Rama and Sita and in the end rejoice when Lord Rama destroys the demon king Ravana. Larger than life effigies of Ravana are burnt at places symbolizing the end of the evil forces.
For Maharashtrians, Navratri Festival envisages Ghatasthapana and Hadaga for young girls. For Ghatasthapana a mud pot is placed on a hip of well-refined black clay in which seeds of various grains are sowed for germination. These seeds are preferably of those crops, which are normally sowed by farmers during the winter (Rabi) season. Thus a prelim test of the seeds is taken in order to judge their germination percentage if sowed in the actual field. Custom has it that these days food items made up only from grains are eaten. Every day the goddess is offered a different dish. Daily a garland is offered to the pot (Ghat). The eighth, ninth and tenth days are considered most important and auspicious. On the last day the Ghat is dismantled and black clay along with the germinated seeds are scattered all over the field by farmers.
Young girls have their own channel of celebrating Navratri, i.e., Hadaga. This innovative play-game is also called as Bhortdala and Bhulabai in different parts of the state. In this group-game girls draw a picture or rangoli of an elephant in the foreground of the house or on the backside of a wooden sheet. The girls dance around the picture in rhythmic fashion and sing various songs depicting shades of human behaviours and relations, in the end the host girl of the play challenges other girls to guess the special dish or item prepared by her. If ail of them fail to guess it then the host girl proudly announces the name of the item and distributes it to all of them. This traditional game requires no big ground or loudspeaker or lighting arrangement or sponsors or big prizes etc. Still the changing time is tasting its longevity. In a city like Mumbai it has become more inevitable!
In the bustling crowd inside a railway station if you are pushed aside by a rushing commuter, do not expect an apology from him or her. Simply because he or she has no time for that! It can be vice a versa. If you push somebody aside there is no need to say sorry. Even if you do, the person you have pushed aside may not be waiting for your apology. He or she already vanishes in the crowd. That is, Mumbaikars have no time at their disposal to waste over fighting (both verbal and physical). And sadly enough, they also have no time to laugh or giggle for a while. Probably this lacuna prompted them to establish Laughter Clubs. Around five thousand members of the laughter clubs in Mumbai practice the biblical adage; love thy neighbor as thyself; by sending colourfully wrapped chocolates and fresh sprays of flowers to their neighbours on the occasion of Neighbour’s Day.
They observe First day of July as Neighbour’s Day every year to drive home the fact that our relationship with people around us is very pivotal for personal development and stress management. As part of regular practice, each member of the club invites three of the neighbours for a cup of tea/coffee or lunch, dinner or to share in an outdoor event to boost interpersonal relationship in times of hectic work schedule and stressed life style. Members are also encouraged to send in flowers, gifts, and tokens of appreciation to those living in the neighbourhood. Laughter club, which has hundreds of branches all over the city, propagates laughing as a therapeutic remedy for ailments and general well being.
A festival is celebrated in Mumbai, Mumbai International Film Festival. It is arranged by Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI) and NCPA. Y.C. Pratishthan and Imax Adlab also chip in for its successful arrangement, which takes place usually in the months of November/December. On an average more than hundred foreign and Indian films participate in it. In order to attract youth towards the world classic cinema they are provided concession in tickets to films, which are shown in major theatres in and around Mumbai.