NANDURBAR

Nandurbar reflects Maharashtra’s vibrant cultural spirit through a range of fairs and festivals celebrated across its towns and villages. 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 Ashwatthama Yatra, Bardipada Yatra, Chetak Festival, Rajwadi Holi, and Uli, which highlight its local traditions and historical connections. Together, these celebrations offer insight into the district’s social fabric and collective rhythms of life.

The Ashwatthama Yatra is a challenging and spiritually significant pilgrimage that takes place annually in the Satpura mountains, in Nandurbar district, between Dhantrayodashi and Lakshmi Pujan. Starting from Taloda, the yatra attracts thousands of devotees from the Nandurbar, Dhule, and Jalgaon districts and also from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Pilgrims trek through a physically demanding route that includes steep mountain paths, deep valleys, and sharp curves, passing through sites such as Derani, Jethani, Goryamal, Satghol, Nakatyadeo, and Bhimkund before reaching the main devasthan of Astamba Rishi, in Nandurbar, located at an elevation of over 4,000 feet.

Astamba, also referred to as Ashwatthama, is linked to the Mahabharata, where he is believed to still appear before devotees in different forms, guiding them in times of distress. The yatra tests both physical and mental endurance, with many facing exhaustion by the time they complete the route. Despite the difficulty, the journey offers breathtaking natural beauty, making it a rewarding experience for both devotees and nature lovers. While the trek was traditionally completed entirely on foot, recent improvements in road access now allow many pilgrims to cover portions of the journey by two-wheeler, increasing participation in this unique mountain pilgrimage.

Bardipada Yatra is an important cultural event in Nandurbar district, Maharashtra, centered around the puja of Mogi Mata. The yatra, often held during Mahashivaratri, draws people from nearby areas who take part in rituals, processions, and community gatherings in Bardipada, despite limited infrastructure.

Sarangkheda, a village in Shahada Taluka of Nandurbar district, is renowned for hosting the Chetak Festival, the largest and one of the oldest horse markets in India. Held annually on the banks of the Tapi River, this month-long celebration spans over 50 acres and draws participants from across more than 12 states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. With a history of over 350 years, the festival showcases more than 2,500 horses, including high-breed and imported varieties brought from various regions and countries.

What began as a rural horse fair has now evolved into a major equestrian and cultural spectacle. The Chetak Festival blends elements of trade, tradition, royalty, and heritage with rural sports, agricultural exhibitions, and entertainment programs. Visitors can witness horse parades, exhibitions, and sales, as well as enjoy music, folk performances, and local cuisine. Despite the large crowds, the event remains well-organized, with local police present to ensure safety and order.

Organized by the Chetak Festival Committee, Sarangkheda, the event reflects the region’s deep-rooted equestrian legacy and cultural pride. It stands today as a unique celebration of rural heritage and equine excellence in India: an enduring measure of tradition, commerce, and festivity. (Refer to markets and bazaars for more information)

The Kalika Mata Yatra in Akkalkuwa, Nandurbar, is one of the most important rural fairs in the Khandesh region, traditionally held on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. Centered around the gramdevi Kalika Mata, this yatra is known across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh not only for its religious importance but also for its large bull and agricultural market.

Held at the base of the Satpura hills, the yatra marks a crucial moment before the start of the Kharif season, when farmers purchase bulls, seeds, spices, and farming tools. The most significant feature of the fair is the cattle market, where thousands of Katak bulls, known for their strength and suitability for farming in the Satpura terrain, are brought for sale. In recent years, the fair has recorded the arrival of up to 10,000 bulls, with traders and farmers from across three states participating. In just four days, the sale of bulls can generate a turnover of over Rs 1 crore, reflecting the yatra's scale and economic significance.

Besides the cattle trade, the yatra is a vibrant hub for household goods, spices, bullock carts, and folk performances, making it both a religious and commercial event.

Rajwadi Holi, also known as Kathi Holi, is a significant festival celebrated by indigenous communities in the Satpura region of Maharashtra. This festival has historical roots dating back to the 13th century during the reign of King Umed Singh and was initiated by Rajaphanta and Ganda Thakur to honor their devtas.

Preparations for the festival begin fifteen days in advance, during which indigenous communities gather elaborate costumes and musical instruments such as ghungru (anklets), morpies (headgear), dholkis, and flutes. People observe a week-long fast of celibacy for the well-being of their families.

On the day of the festival, villagers erect a 40 to 50-foot bamboo pole in the center of the village, which they feel will bring rain and prosperity. Then puja is performed on the bamboo before being dug up and transported, with the entire process carried out by hand without any tools.

On the festive day, men dress in colorful attire, often portraying women or wild animals, and perform various dances. The celebration culminates with the lighting of the Holi fire at dawn.

Uli is a festival celebrated in Gend Village, Nandurbar, to mark the arrival of spring. The festival, rooted in the culture of the Pawara community, centers around the folklore of Raja Phanta and Uli-Jugan, a devi who is often also seen as a dakin (witch). The festival comes to life around a bonfire, which is said to show renewal and divine presence.

In the performances, men of the community play the central roles, portraying characters like Raja Phanta, Ganda Thakur, and Uli herself. The dancers wear peacock feather headgear (Budhiyo) and bamboo hats (Bawa), while Niskya (animal mask wearers) and Rayas (men dressed in women’s attire) enrich the performance with rhythmic presence.