AHILYANAGAR

Ahilyanagar reflects Maharashtra’s vibrant cultural spirit through a range of fairs and festivals celebrated across the district. These occasions often bring together religious devotion, seasonal cycles, and community participation, shaping the district’s cultural identity. Prominent festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Holi, Gudi Padwa, Ashadi Ekadashi, Akshay Tritiya, Navratri, Dussehra, Mahashivratri, Shivaji Jayanti, Makar Sankranti, Nag Panchami, and Vat Purnima are widely observed. However, the district is especially known for the Sai Baba Jatra, Biroba Festival, and Bannumma Jatra, among others, which highlight its local traditions and historical connections. Together, these celebrations offer insight into the district’s social fabric and collective rhythms of life.

Bhairavnath is revered by people of all faiths. A unique prasad of bajra bhakri and amti, a special meal, has been passed down to the bhakts of Satamudra. The Bhairavnath Mandir hosts an annual yatra in Chaitra (March–April), traditionally observed on the Sunday following Hanuman Jayanti.

The local youth, along with community support, have played a key role in ending animal sacrifices during the Bhuta Jatra in Agadgaon. In the past, goats were sacrificed, and it was believed that a spirit festival followed the next night. However, changing perspectives among the younger generation led to an awareness campaign, resulting in the discontinuation of animal sacrifices over the last decade. Now, only vegetarian offerings are made to the devta, a practice widely accepted by the villagers.

The jatra is held in honour of the famous sant Shri Sai Baba and is one of the biggest jatras in Maharashtra. The main fair is held on Chaitra (March - April) Sudha 8 and 9 every year in addition to other jatras held on Guru Purnima, i.e., on Ashadha (June - July) Sudha 15 and Gokul Ashtami. The people attending this jatra mostly come from Mumbai and the neighbouring districts.

Every year, on the first Sunday after Akshay Tritiya, the village of Kauthvadi in Akole Tehsil, Maharashtra, hosts a festival dedicated to Biroba, a devta revered as a form of Bhagwaan Shiv. Biroba is one of the primary devta of the Mahadev Koli tribe. During this festival, men who have made vows carry a fire pot filled with burning wood. The pot is inverted after cutting its bottom, and once it is lit, the men, believed to be possessed by the Bhagwaan, lift the pot and walk around the Biroba Mandir. An assistant accompanies each person, continuously pouring oil into the pot. Remarkably, the hot oil flows onto the bodies of the possessed men, yet they remain unscathed, even though they wear no clothing on their upper bodies.

The Korathan Khandoba Yatra, held annually at the Shri Kshetra Korathan in Pimpalgaon Rotha (Taluka Parner), is one of the most significant yatra events in Maharashtra. The festival's main attraction is the ceremonial processions of the kathya (staffs)  from various villages, most notably from Brahmanwada and Belhe. These processions end in a grand puja and aarti at the Khandoba Mandir, where the Kathyas receive Aashirwad and bhakts gather for darshan. On the final day, Khandoba's silver palki, along with palkis from surrounding villages such as Alkuti, Belhe, Khandali, Malwadi, and Savargaon Ghule, is taken out in a grand procession.

Sadguru Godad Maharaj was born on a Thursday during the ‘Shravan Shuddha Dasami’( in the constellation of Bhosale, in Udaipur. His ancestral roots trace back to Karjat, where his grandfather was born. Although his birth name was Amrut Singh or Amrut, he became widely known as Godad Maharaj. Known for his fearless and quick-tempered nature, he was also forgiving and deeply devoted to chanting the name of Bhagwan Panduranga.

Godad Maharaj practiced intense asceticism on the Satpuda Mountain for 18 years. According to locals, he once faced humiliation from a woman, which led him to prepare for a ritual sacrifice in anger. However, through divine will, he received a command to go to Karjat village instead. It is believed that Bhagwaan Panduranga assured him that a palkhi from Pandharpur would arrive in Karjat. To this day, instead of the palkhi traveling from Karjat to Pandharpur, it reaches the Godad Maharaj Mandir in Karjat. Godad Maharaj took Sanjeevan Samadhi in Karjat and had constructed his own Samadhi during his lifetime.

The jatra takes place in the village of Pravara Sangam, located about 18 km from Newasa, the tehsil headquarters, along the Ahmednagar-Aurangabad Road. Bhakts participate in several key activities during the fair, including bathing at the confluence of the Pravara and Godavari rivers and observing vrats. Throughout the fair, bhakts perform rituals such as abhisheka, laghu rudra, and maha rudra in honor of the Bhagwan.

The jatra takes place on the first Thursday after Ashvina(September - October) Sud 15 and lasts for three days. On the preceding Wednesday, a sandal is carried from the home of a local to the Dargah, where it is applied to the tomb of Bannumma. During her lifetime, Bannumma would sit in a beautifully decorated bullock cart, which was paraded with music. Since her passing, a flower-covered net is held high behind a horse as part of the procession to the Dargah, accompanied by music.

On Thursday, a similar procession starts from the Dargah and moves around the village, with fireworks lighting up the sky on both days. The third day, Friday, is marked by a gathering known as "Hangama."

The Kanifnath Jatra is held on Phalgun (February - March) Vadya 5 to Chaitra (March - April) Sudha 1 for 15 days in honour of the Sant Kanifnath at Madhi in Pathardi taluka.