Modern Festivals of Maharashtra
Every year, MTDC seeks to present the myriad facets of Maharashtra's rich heritage of the performing arts through a series of festivals held at important cultural centres. The years have added a mesmerising allure to these events, now avidly awaited by lovers of Indian music, art and culture, who appreciate the artistry of India's leading exponents of classical music and dance who come from all over the country to perform at the festivals.

Pune Festival
Lord Ganesh, or Ganpati as He is popularly called in Maharashtra, is among the most beloved of Hindu Gods. As Ganesh Chaturthi - his day of birth - approaches every year in August-September, so does the Pune Festival, a celebration of art and culture, song and dance, custom and tradition.


Originally conceived as a localised cultural event, the Pune Festival has, over the years, gained national and international stature and evolved into one of India's landmark cultural happenings. It is one of the few festivals that has been consistently and actively promoted abroad by the government of India, as a major tourist attraction.

Some of the country's internationally renowned artistes have gathered at Pune, and regarded it as a privilege to be invited to perform at the festival. While it has provided a unique platform for exponents of classical music and dance it has, keeping pace with changing times, also helped to promote modern trends in the performing arts, notably the dramatic arts and the traditional art of rangoli.

A rare treat, the week-long Pune Festival provides a feast of entertainment for visitors who can participate and revel in traditional and modern sports events, shop for exquisite textiles and handicrafts, relish the delectable cuisine and rejoice in the colourful customs of Maharashtra.

Legend has it that Lord Ram, on his way to Lanka in search of his wife Sita, stopped on the hillock of Malabar Hill. He shot a ban (arrow) into the ground to obtain fresh water of the holy Ganga for his followers. The Shilahara kings had later built a large stone tank at this place to store the water of the Banganga. Every year, in January, a cultural festival is organised at Banganga, where top artistes from around the country perform live classical music concerts.

It is being held every year in February since 1989 at the Elephanta Island, near Mumbai. During the festival, renowned dancers and musicians perform outside the caves to a select audience.

It is organised by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) every year in December at the Ellora Caves, near Aurangabad. Renowned artistes display their virtuosity in music and dance during the festival.

Kalidas was a great Sanskrit poet and dramatist, famous for his historical drama, Shakuntala, and for the epic poem, Meghdoota. The Kalidas Festival brings back memories of the golden period of the Vidarbha region. Ramgiri, or Ramtek as it is popularly known today, is the place that inspired Kalidas. Every year, in November, some of the greatest exponents of music, dance and drama perform to celebrate the glorious heritage of Ramtek in this 2-day festival.

More Festivals of Maharashtra

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