Mumbai Fairs and Festivals

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 Dusshera, 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.

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.

Navratri
After Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Mumbai. Traditional Navratri is performed with clap by taking steps on various tunes. On the tunes of the thundering drums, Dandiya Raas is performed with sticks. People of all ages take part in the performance with great fervour. Nowadays, the traditional instruments are taken over by remix songs and DJ.

Diwali
Diwali is the festival celebrated with great joy by the whole country. This colourful and dazzling light festival has its unique feeling of the celebration than any other cities in India. On the moonless night of November month, the whole city dazzle in the colourful lights and lamps. On these days, Marine Drive shines so bright in the light of firecrackers.

Mumbai International Film Festival
Once in every two-year, Mumbai International Film Festival is organized by 'Films Division', Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. Film producers and directors from all over India throng to Mumbai for this one of the most prestigious festivals. The main attraction of this festival is short films, documentary films and animation films. The first International Film Festival for was held in the year 1990. This biennial festival is held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai. Film sessions, discussion and promotional work for cinema are the key activities during this festival.

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.