BEED

Beed district in Maharashtra celebrates a wide range of fairs and festivals that reflect its cultural diversity and local traditions. These events are held throughout the year and are rooted in religious practices, community gatherings, and rural life. Major festivals include the Mahasanskrit Mahotsav in Beed City, which features folk art, traditional crafts, and regional cuisine. The State-Level Agricultural Festival in Parli Vaijnath focuses on modern farming practices and attracts farmers from across the state. Religious events such as the Mahashivratri Fair at the Parli Vaijnath Jyotirlinga mandir and the Urs of Shahinshah Wali in Beed city draw large numbers of devotees. The Kanobachi Jatra, held on Holi in Kharda village, involves a traditional pilgrimage to a hilltop mandir. Along with these, widely observed festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Navratri, Eid, Ambedkar Jayanti, and Buddha Jayanti are also celebrated across the district. 

Twaritapuri Devi Jatra is a significant annual event held in the village of Talwada, located in the Gevrai taluka of Beed district. This jatra honors Twaritapuri Devi and takes place from Chaitra Vad 8 (March-April) to Vaishaka Sud 3, lasting approximately 15 to 16 days.

The Mandir dedicated to Twaritapuri Devi is located about a kilometer away from the village on a hillock. While the exact date of its establishment is unknown, it is believed to have been built in the 12th or 13th century, featuring the Hemadpanthi architectural style. The murti of the Twaritapuri Devi is carved from a single block of black stone.

The Kanakalayeshwar or Shivratri Jatra takes place in Beed, the district headquarters, on the 14th of Magha (February-March).

According to locals, this site has been known by four different names throughout the four yugas (ages). In Krita Yuga, it was called "Bhrigu Udak Kshetra," as Sadhu Bhrigu is said to have purified himself here. In Tretayuga, it became known as "Vayu Shodhan Kshetra," after Raja Ketuman's encounter with Madhavi. During this time, he was cursed by her and later restored to his original form at this location. In Kali Yuga, the area is referred to as Kanakalaya or Bilini Nagar (Beed), named after a poor Brahmin named Bhadra Sharma who was blessed with wealth by Bhagwaan Shankar.

The jatra is celebrated twice a year: on Makar Sankranti in Pausha (January 14) and on Mahashivratri in Magha. The latter is the main event, attracting around twenty-five thousand attendees. Bhagwaan Mahadev’s Mandir here is built from smooth black stone without the use of lime. The mandir faces west and is surrounded by a trench filled with water known as "Bhrigu Udak." A bridge leads over this trench to the Mandir.

On Mahashivratri day, a significant jatra occurs in Parli at one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Despite this, many people from surrounding areas and beyond attend the Kanakalayeshwar jatra in Beed. Pilgrims typically arrive early in the morning, bathing in the Bhrigu Udak Tirth and paying homage to the Bhagwaan Shiv before returning home. It is customary for bhakts to receive a "kavath" fruit as prasad.

The Parli Vaijnath Jatra takes place in the town of Parli Vaijnath, named after the Bhagwaan Shri Vaijnath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. This jatra is celebrated from Magha Vad 13 to Magha Vad 30 (February-March), with the most significant day being Magha Vad 14.

Parli Vaijnath is located about 22 km northeast of Mominabad, at the base of the Sahyadri hills. The town is divided into two parts, Kasba and Peth, by the Saraswati River and is known for its historical significance. It has been called various names over the ages, including Uttam, Tirthraj, and Kshetra Amriteshwar.

According to locals, Markandeya performed penance at Siddheshwar Linga to avoid an early death. When Bhagwaan Yama came to take him away, he clung to the Shivling and prayed for protection. Pleased by his devotion, Bhagwan Vaijnath appeared and granted him immortality.

The State-Level Agricultural Festival (Krsi Mahotsav) is a major annual event held in Parli Vaijnath, Beed district, typically in late August. Organized by the Government of Maharashtra’s Agriculture Department, this six-day festival serves as a platform for showcasing modern agricultural practices, technologies, and innovations aimed at empowering farmers across the state. In 2024, it was held from August 21 to 26, inaugurated by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, reflecting the high-level political and institutional backing it receives.

The festival features a wide range of exhibitions and activities. These include displays of advanced farming machinery, drone spraying demonstrations, and modern irrigation systems. Stalls set up by agricultural universities and research institutions offer insights into new seed varieties, organic farming techniques, and pest control measures. Livestock exhibitions, Rabi crop displays, and interactive seminars help farmers connect directly with scientists and industry experts. Special attention is also given to women's self-help groups and rural entrepreneurs who showcase local produce and value-added products.

In 2024, the festival attracted around 450,000 visitors, including farmers, agricultural students, and entrepreneurs. It generated an estimated ₹3 crore in business activity, highlighting its role not just as a knowledge-sharing platform but also as a market hub. Events such as buyer–seller meets, farmer–scientist dialogues, and technology trials are designed to promote collaboration and real-world application of agricultural research.

Overall, the Krsi Mahotsav has become a vital initiative for rural development in Maharashtra. It bridges the gap between policy, research, and practice by providing farmers access to government schemes, technical support, and sustainable farming solutions. The festival also promotes climate-resilient agriculture, innovation, and economic upliftment in farming communities. The 2025 Jagtik Krushi Mahotsav was held in Nashik, Maharashtra.

The Mahashivratri celebration at Parli Vaijnath is one of the most significant religious events in Beed district and attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. Celebrated on the 14th night of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu month of Phalguna (February–March), Mahashivratri marks the union of Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Devotees observe fasts, perform night-long prayers, and participate in rituals that reflect deep spiritual devotion. This festival holds special importance at Parli Vaijnath because the town is home to the Vaijnath Jyotirlinga, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas in India dedicated to Shiva.

During Mahashivratri, the Shri Vaijnath mandir becomes a central hub of activity. Visitors from across Maharashtra and beyond gather to offer prayers and perform abhishekam (ritual bathing) of the Shivlinga using milk, water, honey, and bael leaves. The mandir’s Hemadpanthi-style architecture and the tradition of allowing devotees to touch and worship the Jyotirlinga make it a rare and intimate pilgrimage experience. The atmosphere is deeply devotional, with continuous chanting of the Rudram, night-long bhajans (devotional songs), and special rituals conducted by mandir priests.

In addition to the religious rituals, the town of Parli transforms into a festive fairground. Local vendors set up stalls selling religious items, sweets, and regional foods, while accommodation and transport services operate at full capacity to handle the massive influx of visitors. Despite the crowds, the festival is noted for its orderly conduct, spiritual ambience, and communal participation. In some years, due to public safety concerns, authorities have regulated mandir access, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the festival continues to draw devotees in large numbers.

The Urs of Hazrat Shahinshah Wali is a significant two-day Sufi festival held annually in Beed City, Maharashtra. It takes place at the historic dargah of Hazrat Shahinshah Wali, a revered 14th-century saint of the Chishtiya Sufi order who arrived in Beed during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Tughluq. The saint’s tomb, along with associated structures, was built over several centuries between 1385 and 1840. The Urs is observed on the 2nd day of Rabi al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, and marks a day of spiritual remembrance and community gathering.

The Urs attracts visitors from Beed district and surrounding areas who come to offer prayers and seek blessings (barakah) at the saint’s shrine. The atmosphere is spiritually vibrant, featuring qawwali performances, recitations of Sufi poetry, and communal prayers. Practitioners offer incense, flowers, and chadars (cloth coverings) at the mazar (tomb).