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Fairs and Festivals
Ganesh Chaturthi Mumbai Festivals are linked with traditional values, cultures and customs. These festivals depict the nature of human relationships and popular beliefs. Also, these festivals pass on past traditions to the present generation to make them aware of the associated rich culture and tradition. The most common festivals of the city account to Dussera, Moharram, Shivratri, Christmas, Budha Purnima etc. which add more color and vibrancy to Indian culture. Festivals are generally celebrated either to honor religious occasions or to welcome various seasons of the year etc. Most of these festivals are common throughout the country but might be known by different names and marked by different rituals in different regions. Even though Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, all the festivals are welcome with great vigor and color.
For instance, Mumbai has a great section of Parsi population and hence the Parsi New Year is celebrated with great passion. Ganesh Chaturthi is the major festival of Mumbai which lasts for ten days and is held during August-September. This festival is seen as a truly feisty celebration of the people of Mumbai. The festivals of Holi, Raksha Bandhan,Dusshera, Navratri and Diwali are the prime occasions for the Hindus, while Eid is celebrated with great fervour by the Muslims. Easter & Christmas are celebrated among Christians and non-Christians alike. Though associated with certain religions, in most of the cases, these festivals are celebrated beyond the specific religion, cast and creed. All the festivals have a lot to reveal about the religion, its history and related rituals. Apart from religious festival, Mumbai also hosts arts festivals like Elephanta festival, Kala Ghoda festival and Banganga festival. Tourists from all over the world travel to Mumbai to witness splendor and vigor of the people during the celebrations.
Elephanta Festival
Elephanta festival is organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to promote Mumbai tourism and culture. It is one of the most prominently celebrated festivals in Mumbai. This renowned festival is held on the Elephanta Island, adjacent to the Elephanta Cave, a World Heritage Site. The Island is located at a distance of ten kilometres from Mumbai
Banganga Festival
Banganga festival is a two-day music festival celebrated annually in the month of January in Malabar Hills, Mumbai, conducted jointly by MTDC ((Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) and Indian Heritage Society Mumbai, to protect the cultural heritage of the country. The festival owes its name to the Banganga tank, a holy tank located in the complex of Walkeshwar temple in Malabar hills. The festival which was first
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god who is believed to be powerful enough to eliminate all obstacles. Falling in the months of August and September, this is one of the festivals which Mumbaites celebrate with great zeal and enthusiasm. Lord Ganesh is regarded as the patron saint of Maharashtra and over 6000 idols are commissioned in Mumbai every year.
Kala Ghoda Festival
One of the most prominent cultural events in Mumbai, Kala Ghoda festival is organised by the Kala Ghoda Association. This cultural feast celebrates varied art forms, including music, dance, theatre etc., and also involves seminars and workshops related to arts.