Festivals and celebrations during the Marathi year
A timeless journey of devotion, tradition, and daily reverence at Shri Narasimha Temple.
Chaitra:
On Gudi Padwa, the Lord is anointed with Pavamaan (Panchasukta) and Alankar Puja is performed. A Gudi is also erected in the temple.
Ram Janmabhoomi is celebrated with devotion on Ram Navami.
Hanuman Jayanti is observed on a large scale with special rituals and gatherings.
During this period, a large number of pilgrims visiting Shri Mahadev at Shikhar Shingnapur also come for darshan at the temple.
Vaishakh:
Vaishakh Navratri Festival – This is the biggest festival here. The Navratri festival of Shri starts on Vaishakh Shuddho 6 (Shashthi) and the birth ceremony takes place on Vaishakh Shuddho 14 (Chaturdashi) in the evening of Narasimha Jayanti.
On the 15th day of Vaishakh Shuddha (full moon day), a procession is held on that night, the shoes of the Lord are placed in a palanquin and a musical procession is taken out. The festival of lights is celebrated.
On the second day of the full moon, the Dahi Handi is turned black and the festival ends. During this festival, devotional music, bhajans, lectures, sermons and night Naradia Kirtan Seva etc. are performed in front of the Lord.
During the festival, various ornaments are made for the Lord, such as sandalwood, flower arrangement, and Mahavastra. Throughout the month of Vaishakh, a large number of Narasimha devotees come to perform the rituals of the family. Many people celebrate Navratri here. This is the love fair of Narasimha devotees. The Lord is crowded with Panchamrit Pujas and Vasant Pujas. Various sports competitions and wrestling are held in the village.
In the Vaishakh Vadya Paksha, the priests perform Praksha Puja of the Lord.
Jyeshtha:
From Jyeshtha Shukla 1 to 10, during the Dashahara festival period, many devotees offer various services to the Lord.
On Vat Purnima, married women worship the Banyan tree (Vat Puja).
Ashadha:
On Ashadhi Ekadashi, a grand Mahapuja is performed for the Lord.
On Ashadha Shukla 15 (Guru Purnima), a large number of devotees visit for darshan.
Shravan:
On Nag Panchami, snake worship and a community thread-changing (Shravani) ritual are performed at the temple.
On Shriyal Shashti, a symbolic idol is placed in the temple and worshipped.
On Gokulashtami, a week-long celebration is held to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
Bhadrapada:
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a grand scale at the temple.
Devotees recite the Ganapati Atharvashirsha and perform Ganesh Yagna.
Ashwin:
From Ashwin Shukla 1 to 9, the Sharadiya Navratri festival is celebrated with daily evening aartis after Ghatasthapana.
On Vijayadashami, worship is performed for all deities and weapons. A grand abhishek and alankar puja are offered to Shri and Mahalakshmi.
A large Dharma Dhwaja is hoisted annually. In the evening, the palanquin procession reaches Swami Samadhi near the village’s west side for the gold-offering ritual.
From Ashwin Purnima, the Kartik Snan begins, with devotees bathing before sunrise and then visiting the temple.
On Narak Chaturdashi, the Dandavate family offers special worship and sends a palanquin to the river confluence.
Kartik:
On Bali Pratipada, an oil bath and ornamented puja are performed for the Lord early in the morning.
The Dhingre family conducts special rituals and sends the Lord’s palanquin to the river confluence.
On Kartik Shukla 12, Tulsi Vivah is celebrated with ceremonial marriage of Tulsi to the Lord with traditional songs and rituals.
On Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, a grand Garuda procession moves through the village.
Kartik Snan ends on Tripuri Purnima.
Margashirsha:
On Margashirsha Purnima, Datt Jayanti is celebrated.
The temple renovation done by Raghunathrao Vinchurkar in Shaka 1787 is commemorated on Margashirsha Vadya 9–10 every year.
Pausha:
On Bhogi, a palanquin procession of the Lord visits Lakshmi Ghat and then proceeds through the village.
On Makar Sankranti, married women gather in large numbers to offer gifts (Vaan) to Shri and Lakshmi as a symbol of prosperity.
Magha:
On Maghi Ekadashi and Mahashivratri, devotees perform sacred bath at the confluence of Neera and Bhima rivers and visit the temple.
Phalguna:
On Phalguna Purnima, Holika Dahan is performed at the temple.
On Rang Panchami, the Lord is adorned in white, and saffron-colored flowers are sprinkled over the idol. Villagers joyfully throw colors on each other at night in celebration.
