Festivals of Ratnagiri

Maharashtra is the centre of many religious and cultural traditions. In Ratnagiri, life revolves around fairs and festivals.

Each festival comes with its own colors and Cuisine. People do up their houses and surroundings and there is an air of celebration. The festival time is surely a must visit time in India.While the most hugely visible festival maybe the Ganesh Chaturthi, due to the large processions and the colourful images of Lord Ganesha, there are many festivals celebrated with as much enthusiasm and spirit.

Each festival signals the passing of old and beginning of new, and this in most cases is signifies by the victory of good over evil. Each festival has a significance and its mark is always felt in the daily lives of the people in India, specially in rural India.

Major Festivals in Ratnagiri:

1. DUSSEHRA (Dasara)

2. HOLI

3. JANAMASHTAMI

4. RAM NAVAMI

5. MAHA SHIVRATRI

6. GANESH CHATURTHI / VINAYAK CHATURTHI (VERY FAMOUS GOURI-GANAPATI)

7. MAKAR SANKARANTI

8 . VASANTA PANCHAMI

9 . GUDHI PADVA

10. ID E MILAD

11. MAHAVIR JAYANTI

12. BUDHHA POURNIMA

13. INDEPENDENCE DAY

14. REPUBLIC DAY

15. CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ JAYANTI

16. RAMZAN ID (ID UL FITR)

17. BAKRI ID

18 CHRISTMAS

Maaghi Ganeshotsav

Many regional (local) festivals are also widely celebrated in the district. Like Holi in Sagameshwar, Bhairi Devi utsav in Ratnagiri, Urs at various places like Hatis and Lanja, Katra Devi Jatra in (Rajapur) Sagve village etc.

Lokmanya Tilak started collective celebration of Ganeshotsav in the society. Concept behind it was to use it as a medium of public education.

During those times, various temples and institutions in Ratnagiri were celebrating Ganeshotsav publically with a view to develop Hindu organisation. Savarkar also followed the concept and joined those temple activities.

Because of opposition, savarkar decided to start separate Ganeshotsav activity. Construction of Patitpavan Mandir was then in progress. Still Savarkar started Ganeshotsav in 1930 in temple premises. Veer Savarkar named it as 'Akhil Hindu Ganeshotsav' means 'celebration of Ganesh Jayanti by all Hindus.

Right from first year, this activity aimed at interaction of all classes of Hindu Religion in order to iradicate seven evils in the hindu community and to rebuild homogenous Hindu Community.

From 1930 to 1937, Savarkar himself carried out this activity by organizing processions, melas, HaldiKunku ceremonies of all Hindu women, Sahabhojan, giving speeches and lectures and other entertainment programmes like dramas and Povadas (Ballods).

During the festival period, several leaders like Bhai Bagal, Maharshi Annasaheb Shinde, Jagatguru Shankaracharya, Bapusaheb Rajbhoj visited Ratnagiri to experience this activity and openly praised Savarkar for his efforts. This activity proved to be a revolutionary activity.

Initially, Ganesh Festival was being organised in Bhadrapad marathi month. However, from 1955, it was decided to celebrate this activity in Magh marathi month on Ganesh Jayanti. Veer Savarkar presided over the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1955. Akhil Hindu Ganeshotsav is still being celebrated in the temple on every Magh Chaturthi.