Maharashtrian Festivals: Gudi Padwa, Ganeshotsav and Diwali
The main festivals celebrated in Maharashtra, their Marathi names and greetings, and the words that go with them.
Maharashtra's festival calendar is vibrant, and each celebration has words and greetings worth knowing.
Major festivals
| Festival | Marathi | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marathi new year | गुढीपाडवा | in spring, with a raised गुढी |
| Ganesh festival | गणेशोत्सव | celebrated for several days, especially in Mumbai and Pune |
| Diwali | दिवाळी | festival of lights |
| Makar Sankranti | मकर संक्रांत | in January, with sesame sweets |
| Navratri | नवरात्र | nine nights |
| Dussehra | दसरा | victory of good over evil |
| Maharashtra Day | महाराष्ट्र दिन | 1 May |
Ganeshotsav
गणेशोत्सव honours Lord Ganesha, and is one of the state's biggest festivals. Homes and neighbourhoods install idols, and the festival ends with a procession. The sweet मोदक is associated with it, and a common cry is गणपती बाप्पा मोरया!
Makar Sankranti
On मकर संक्रांत, people exchange तिळगूळ (sesame and jaggery sweets) with the words तिळगूळ घ्या, गोड गोड बोला ("Take sesame-jaggery, speak sweetly").
Greetings
- गुढीपाडव्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा! — Warm greetings for Gudi Padwa!
- गणेशोत्सवाच्या शुभेच्छा! — Greetings for Ganeshotsav!
- दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा! — Warm Diwali greetings!
- महाराष्ट्र दिनाच्या शुभेच्छा! — Greetings on Maharashtra Day!
Festival words
| Marathi | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सण | festival |
| पूजा | worship |
| मंदिर | temple |
| मिठाई | sweets |
| रांगोळी | rangoli, decorative pattern |
| दिवा | lamp |
Tips
- Learn "शुभेच्छा" (greetings).
- Learn the festival names.
- Use the dictionary to check words.
English Marathi Dictionary
Offline English–Marathi dictionary with meanings in proper Devanagari script
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