When is Ganesh Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) in 2026?

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 starts on September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day grand Ganeshotsav festival in Maharashtra.

Does this calendar include Maharashtra state holidays?

Yes, we track all official public holidays in Maharashtra, including Maharashtra Day, Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, and Ambedkar Jayanti.

How do I know which exact day to perform a specific Puja?

Our calendar maps major festivals to the primary civil day of observance. For exact fractional Tithi bounds, please visit our Daily Panchang page.

When does Navratri start and end in 2026 in Maharashtra?

Sharad Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, October 11, 2026 (Pratipada) with Ghatasthapana, and culminates on Monday, October 19 (Maha Navami), followed by Dussehra on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

What is the exact Ghatasthapana 2026 Muhurat in Maharashtra?

The auspicious Ghatasthapana Muhurat on Sunday, October 11, 2026, is from 06:24 AM to 10:14 AM (duration: 3 hours 50 minutes). The Abhijit Muhurat window on the same morning runs from 11:48 AM to 12:35 PM.

Which are the Sade-Teen Shaktipithas of Maharashtra?

Maharashtra's 3.5 Shaktipithas are: 1. Tuljapur Bhavani (Osmanabad/Dharashiv), 2. Mahalakshmi / Ambabai (Kolhapur), 3. Renuka Mata (Mahur Gad, Nanded), and the half-seat 4. Saptashrungi Mata (Vani, Nashik).

What is the unique Maharashtrian ritual of Bhondla during Navratri?

Bhondla (celebrated during the Hasta Nakshatra of Navratri) is a folk tradition where women and young girls hold hands in a circle and sing traditional folk songs around an image of Airavata (Indra's elephant). At the end, participants must guess the mystery prasad, known as 'Khirapat', before it is served.

What is a Gondhal ceremony during Marathi Navratri?

A Gondhal is a sacred musical drama and invocation performed at night by traditional folk performers (Gondhalis). With the energetic beats of the Sambhal drum and Tuntuna, they sing thrilling ballads recounting the mother Goddess's heroic victories, invoking her presence to protect the household.

Navratri 2026 | नवरात्री

Navratri Goddess Durga Ghatasthapana Maharashtra Celebration

Looking for calendar views and tithis?

Read more about the exact tithi timings and planetary alignments in our comprehensive October 2026 Calendar.

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About Navratri(उत्सव माहिती)

Sharad Navratri (शारदीय नवरात्रौत्सव) is celebrated across Maharashtra as nine divine nights of supreme devotion to the Cosmic Mother (Adishakti Durga). Beginning on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the festival awakens Maharashtra's soul to the sacred feminine energy of its celebrated Sade-Teen Shaktipithas (साडेतीन शक्तिपीठे): Tuljapur (Tulja Bhavani, the Kulswamini of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj), Kolhapur (Mahalakshmi / Ambabai), Mahur Gad (Renuka Mata), and the half-seat at Vani (Saptashrungi Mata in Nashik).

The heartbeat of Navratri in every Marathi household is the solemn ritual of Ghatasthapana (घटस्थापना) performed on Pratipada morning. On a square bed of sanctified black agricultural soil (*Kali Matee*), seven sacred grains (Saptadhanya: wheat, barley, sesame, green gram, chickpeas, mustard, and rice) are sown. At the center sits a brass or earthen pot (*Kalash*) filled with water, mango leaves, betel nuts, and a coconut adorned with kumkum. Suspended directly above the Kalash hangs a woven flower garland (Mala), renewed every single day for nine consecutive days with fresh blooms — from delicate mogra and fragrant sonchafa to bright yellow zendu. Beside the Ghat burns the Akhand Nanda Deep (अखंड नंदादीप), an unbroken brass oil lamp tended day and night with devotion.

Unique to Maharashtra is the cultural celebration of Bhondla (भोंडला) or Hadga (हाडगा). In the evenings, young girls and women gather around an image of Lord Indra's celestial elephant (*Airavata*) drawn in chalk powder or silver. Clasping hands in a circle, they dance and sing humorous, rhythmic folk songs passed down through oral tradition (*'ऐलमा पैलमा गणेश देवा...'*, *'कारल्याचं वेल लावं ग सुने...'*), concluding with a lively game of guessing the mystery snack (Khirapat) concealed under a cloth napkin.

History: The sacred history of Navratri in Maharashtra intertwines timeless Vedic scriptures with the historic bedrock of the Maratha Empire:

1. The Navadurga Triumph over Mahishasura: According to the sacred Markandeya Purana (Devi Mahatmyam / Durga Saptashati), when the demon king Mahishasura terrorized the cosmos, the supreme Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) fused their celestial tejas (radiance) to manifest Goddess Durga. Armed with divine weapons, the Mother fought Mahishasura for nine ferocious days and nights, finally severing his head with her trident on Vijayadashami.

2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Tulja Bhavani: The Maratha Empire's foundational faith was anchored in Goddess Bhavani. Shivaji Maharaj regularly sought counsel and blessings at Tuljapur before crucial military campaigns, famously receiving the blessed *Bhavani Talwar* (sword of victory) through her divine grace.

3. Agrarian Roots of Saptadhanya: Historically, Ghatasthapana was a living agricultural laboratory. Sowing seven grains on Pratipada allowed farmers to test the germination vigor of their winter rabi seeds. If the sprouts grew tall, green, and lush by Navami, it guaranteed an abundant upcoming harvest for the village.

Significance: The observance of Navratri holds supreme spiritual, physiological, and community value:

Invoking Kuldevi Grace: In Maharashtra, almost every family owes allegiance to a regional Kuldevi (Bhavani, Ambabai, Renuka, Ekvira, Yamai, Kalubai). Navratri is the designated time to fulfill vows (*Navas*), offer Puran Poli Naivedya, and host the ritualistic song-and-dance vigil (Gondhal).
Akhand Jyot Discipline: Maintaining an unbroken flame for 216 continuous hours demands mindfulness, family cooperation, and reverence for fire as the living witness of truth.
Bhondla & Female Solidarity: Bhondla served as an essential social safe haven where newlywed daughters-in-law (*Suna*) could playfully voice their domestic tribulations through folk songs without fear of reprimand.

Rituals & How to Celebrate

Early morning Pratipada bath, cleaning the altar, and drawing rangoli designs depicting the goddess's trident and lotus.

Ghatasthapana: Preparing the earthen altar (Mateecha Chouthara), sowing Saptadhanya (seven grains), setting up the consecrated Kalash, and lighting the Akhand Nanda Deep.

Offering daily fresh flower malas (नवरात्रीच्या नऊ माळा) tied above the Kalash, accompanied by chanting of Devi Atharvashirsha and Durga Saptashati.

Fasting (Upavas): Observing dietary vows with fruits, milk, Sabudana, Bhagar, and Sendha Namak.

Hosting Bhondla folk singing in the evening for neighbourhood girls, concluding with guessing the secret Khirapat prasad.

Kanya Pujan (Kumari Pujan): Honoring young prepubescent girls on Ashtami or Navami with gifts of bangles, coconut, and sweet halwa.

Organizing a night-long Gondhal: Traditional folk ballad singers (Gondhalis) singing praises of the Goddess to the beat of Sambhal and Tuntuna.

Traditional Foods & Bhog

Khirapat (authentic Maharashtrian mystery prasad made from mixed roasted nuts, dry fruits, desiccated coconut, and poha or puffed grains)

Sabudana Khichdi seasoned with roasted crushed peanuts, cumin seeds, and rock salt (Sendha Namak)

Bhagar (Vari Tandul) served with piping hot Danyachi Amti (peanut curry)

Singhare / Rajgira Puri with sweet potato sabzi (Ratalyachi Bhaji)

Puran Poli and Katachi Amti for the Kuldevi Mahanaivedya on Ashtami/Navami

Shrikhand and Kheer for family festive meals