THANE

Thane 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 such as 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 Ambareshwar Jatra, Mhasoba Yatra, Upvan Art Festival, and Haji Malang Fair, among others, which highlight its local traditions and historical connections. Together, these celebrations offer insight into the district’s social fabric and the collective rhythms of life.

The Ambareshwar Jatra, also known as the Ambarnath Jatra or Mahashivaratri Jatra, is held annually at the ancient Ambarnath Mandir in Ambernath, Kalyan taluka, Thane district. Celebrated on Magha Vad 14 (February-March), it coincides with Mahashivaratri, drawing large gatherings of people from the region.

The Mandir, believed to be over 980 years old, was built by a Mahamandaleshwar of the Shilahar dynasty. It is renowned for its intricate stone carvings, an enclosure wall, and three entrances—Nandi Darwaza, Ganapati Darwaza, and Uttar Darwaza. The garbhagriha (sanctum) houses two Shivlings, with the western Shivling regarded as Swayambhu (self-existent).

On Mahashivaratri, special Rudrabhishek rituals are performed, where Panchamrit(a mixture of milk, curds, ghee, honey, and sugar) is ceremonially poured over the Shivling. The festival transforms the area around the Mandir into a bustling fairground, with bhakts offering prayers, participating in bhajans, and engaging in community feasts.

The Baba Diwan Saheb Urs is an important annual event celebrated at Gauripada, on the outskirts of Bhiwandi in Thane district. The festival commemorates Sheikh Hussain Kadri, a revered Sufi saint popularly known as Baba Diwan Saheb. The Urs (death anniversary) takes place in the Islamic month of Zilqaad, typically around May-June, and runs from the 9th to the 20th of the month. The 13th of Zilqaad marks the principal day of the celebration, with the 13th, 14th, and 15th being the most significant.

Centered around the dargah of Baba Diwan Saheb, the festival is marked by elaborate preparations. The dargah and the tombs of the saint and other revered figures are thoroughly cleaned with rose water and scented substances. Galafs (decorative cloths) are placed over the tombs, incense sticks are lit, and verses from the Quran are recited. The entire area is decorated with fresh whitewash, vibrant paint, and colorful lights before the festivities begin.

The Sandal Procession is the main ritual of the Urs. It starts at 3:00 a.m. on the 13th of Zilqaad, beginning from Diwan Mahal and proceeding to the dargah. Four Sandals (decorative cloth offerings) are carried by bhakts and hereditary officials (mankaris) to the dargah. Upon arrival, the existing coverings of the tombs are respectfully removed, and the new Sandals are placed on them, along with scented water and floral decorations.

The Maulud ceremony, involving the collective recitation of Quranic hymns, continues for four days, from the 13th to the 16th of Zilqaad. Fireworks displays are held between the 13th and 15th, adding a festive atmosphere to the event. The Baba Diwan Saheb Urs is not only a religious gathering but also a cultural event that draws large crowds from Bhiwandi and neighboring areas.

Dahi Handi, celebrated in August during Krishna Janmashtami, marks the playful act of Bhagwan Krishna stealing butter and curd from earthen pots. In Thane district, the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, featuring Govinda pathaks traveling across the city on decorated trucks, moving from one event to another. The streets echo with Govinda songs, rhythmic dhol beats, and energetic group chants as teams attempt to form human pyramids to break the handi (pot) suspended high above the streets.

Some of the biggest Dahi Handi events in Thane are organized by groups like Sanskruti Yuva Pratishthan and Sangharsh Pratishthan, drawing both local and professional teams. Many of these competitions come with substantial cash prizes, trophies, and recognition, making it a display of both devotion and athleticism. Teams train rigorously for months to perfect their coordination, balance, and strength.

Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak holds the record for the tallest Dahi Handi pyramid in Thane, successfully forming a 49.5-foot pyramid in 2016.

The Haji Malang Fair is an annual religious and cultural festival held at the Haji Malang Dargah in Wadi, located in Kalyan taluka, Thane district. Celebrated in February, the fair marks the Urs of Haji Malang Baba, a revered Sufi saint. The dargah, situated at Pir Machi, the lower plateau of Haji Malang Gad, draws thousands of people during this 8–9 day festival, with visitors from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds coming to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Alongside its religious significance, the Haji Malang Fair is also popular among trekking enthusiasts, who combine this religious visit with a trek to Malang Gad Fort, known for its scenic views and rugged terrain.

A highlight of the fair is the Moulud ceremony, where religious hymns are recited by sect leaders and their followers in front of the dargah, followed by the distribution of sweets among dignitaries. Another important event is the Dhamal, an energetic dance performed by members of the seven traditional sects, continuing late into the night.

Community feasts are central to the celebrations, with visitors served pulawa (a rice dish), and wheat and gram flour distributed to the poor. The fairgrounds bustle with activity, featuring folk performances (tamashas), magic shows, ghazal programs, and entertainment rides. Rows of stalls set up by local vendors sell flowers, sweets, toys, clothes, and everyday household items.

The festival concludes with the Ghusal ceremony, in which the tombs of the saint and his disciples are washed with scented water and draped in fresh coverings, marking the end of the celebrations.

The Mhasoba Yatra is a major religious and cultural event held in Mhase village, located in Murbad taluka of Thane district. Celebrated for over 200 years, the festival is dedicated to Khamblingeshwar or Mhasoba, regarded as a form of Bhagwan Shankar. The center of the celebrations is the Mhasoba Mandir, with festivities spread across a 1.5 to 2 km radius around the shrine. People from across Maharashtra attend the yatra, drawn by its historical and religious importance. The nearby Mahadev Mandir further highlights the site’s spiritual significance. In earlier times, a Rath Yatra was also part of the celebrations, though this tradition has declined in recent years.

The Mhasoba Yatra is observed from Pausha Sud 8 to Pausha Vad 30 (December–January), with the main events on Pausha Purnima (Sud 15) and Pausha Vad 1. On Purnima, the day begins before sunrise with an abhishek of the deity, conducted by a Brahmin pujari. Bhakts offer coconuts, flower garlands, kumkum, and incense. A distinctive part of the celebration is the arrival of two tall bamboo poles (kathyas), brought in a special procession by members of the Malhar Koli community and installed near the Mandir.

The following day, Pausha Vad 1, is dedicated to fulfilling vows made by bhakts in the previous year. One striking ritual involves yatris, dressed in special clothes, bowing before a tree trunk while an iron hook is pierced into their skin, after which they walk three rounds around the trunk. Another important tradition involves weighing devotees or their children against sugar or jaggery, which is then distributed as prasad among those gathered.

Navratri, celebrated across September-October, is one of Thane district’s grandest festivals, marked by vibrant Garba, Dandiya, and community celebrations. One of the most prominent events is Raas Rang Thane, known for its dance competitions, music performances, and nightly Garba and Dandiya programs, often attended by popular artists and performers. Participants prepare for weeks, and the festival brings together people of all ages. The Modella Mill Compound near Mulund Check Naka also hosts large gatherings, with facilities like traditional Garba attire rental available through online platforms.

Thane also witnesses large processions to welcome the Devi during Navratri. One significant procession begins at Kalwa and culminates at Tembhi Naka, where a large clay murti of the Devi riding a tiger is installed. The Ghantali Devi Mandir in Tembhi Naka conducts special rituals, including the installation of nine clay pots on the first day of the festival.

In Raghunath Nagar, a Haldi-Kumkum ceremony for women is organized on the eighth day, alongside daily Garba performances. Across the district, from neighborhood societies to shopping malls, dance and dress-up competitions are a regular feature. Shops across Thane display embroidered chaniya cholis, ghagaras, and colorful jackets during this time.

Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific color, symbolizing different aspects of the goddess, beginning with red on the first day and ending with light blue on the ninth. Throughout Thane, Devi pandals are set up by local mandals, with decorations and installations growing more elaborate each year, adding to the festive energy across the city.

In Thane district, Gudi Padwa, marking the Marathi New Year, is celebrated with grand processions known as Shobha Yatras, particularly vibrant in Kalyan. Held in March or April, this event brings together communities across Kalyan, with processions starting from multiple points such as Murbad Road, Khadakpada Saichowk, and Umbarde, all converging at Phadke Maidan.

The streets come alive with the sounds of dhol-tasha pathaks (groups), energetic women’s lezim groups, and chants of “Jai Shriram” echoing through the crowd. Members of the Agri-Koli community participate dressed in their traditional attire, adding a local cultural touch to the celebrations.

A key highlight is the 25 ft. tall mahagudhi (ceremonial flagpole) installed at Phadke Maidan. Its arrival is marked with great reverence, accompanied by the synchronized beats of over 125 dhols and 40 tashas, creating an electric atmosphere. The event is both a cultural celebration and an expression of community pride, showcasing Thane’s enthusiasm for welcoming the new year with unity and devotion.

Held every winter at Upvan Lake in Thane, the Upvan Art Festival is a major cultural event organized by Pratap Sarnaik. Spanning three days, the festival features more than 300 artists from across India and abroad, celebrating a wide spectrum of artistic forms.

The festival brings together performing arts, visual arts, folk art, digital installations, culinary arts, and sculptures, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience. Multiple stages are set up across the venue, including special platforms for emerging artists.

Visitors can enjoy concerts, plays, workshops, interactive exhibits, shopping stalls, and diverse food options. With its lakeside setting and vibrant atmosphere, the Upvan Art Festival has become one of Thane’s most celebrated and anticipated cultural gatherings, drawing large crowds each year.

The Vajreshwari Devi Yatra is a revered annual festival dedicated to Devi Vajreshwari, observed on the new moon day (Amavasya) of Chaitra (March–April). Held at the Vajreshwari Mandir near Ganeshpuri in Thane district, the festival draws thousands of people from across the state. The celebrations begin on the fourteenth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning lunar fortnight) and continue for several days, culminating in elaborate rituals honoring the Devi.

The Vajreshwari Mandir, believed to be a Shakti Peeth and holds deep spiritual significance. Originally built in the 12th century, the Mandir was rebuilt after its destruction by invaders. Nestled amid verdant hills, the site is also famous for its 21 natural hot springs spread over a 5 km area. These springs—named after Devis, Devtas, and elements such as Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Agni (Fire), and Ram, Sita, and Lakshman—are believed to have medicinal and purifying properties. Local lore attributes their origin to the blood of rakshasas defeated by the Devi.

Yatris arrive in large numbers to offer prayers, coconuts, sindoor (vermilion), and floral tributes, seeking blessings for strength, health, and prosperity. Many take ritual baths in the hot springs as an act of spiritual and physical cleansing. The Jatra is marked by bhajans, dramatic performances based on epic traditions and communal prayers that fill the air with spiritual fervor.

A central feature of the festival is the distribution of prasad, such as laddoos and khichdi, ensuring that all visitors, regardless of social background, are welcomed and nourished. The Jatra often overlaps with Chaitra Navratri, intensifying its devotional atmosphere. Easily accessible via the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway, the Vajreshwari Mata Yatra combines religious devotion, natural wonder, and cultural vibrancy, making it a memorable event in Thane district’s festival calendar.