FESTIVALS
1. Banganga Festival
January
A much awaited event, the Banganga Festival is a two-day musical extravaganza held at the Banganga tank every year. It attracts renowned artists from all over the country and visitors from the entire nation throng the area.
2. Elephanta Festival
Elephanta island • February
Elephanta Festival is organized by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation to promote tourism and culture in Mumbai. Illustrious musicians and dancers from across India perform just adjacent to the Elephanta Caves, a World Heritage Site.
3. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
February
The nine-day extravaganza of the visual and performing arts is held in the city’s cultural district (see Kala Ghoda and Around). Its immense appeal draws art lovers from across the world.
Mural at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
4. Gudi Padva
March/April
The first day of Chaitra (first month of the Hindu calendar) marks the start of the new year. The festival is celebrated across Maharashtra. House entrances are decorated with colourful rangolis (Indian floor art) and bamboo staffs adorn the doors to ward of evil.
Women celebrating Gudi Padva
5. Nariyal Purnima
August
The Koli community marks the end of monsoons by celebrating coconut day. They paint their boats, light oil lamps and set them afloat. Coconuts are broken on the bows of the boats as an offering to the sea god, Varuna.
6. Navroz
August/September
The Parsi New Year, Navroz is observed on the first day of the first month of the Shehenshai calendar of the Zoroastrian faith. Feasts are held at the fire temple and people visit friends and family to celebrate.
7. Janmashtami
August/September
The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour in Mumbai. The highlight of the two-day celebrations are the clay pots filled with curd, flowers and money and hung high above. Competitions are held all over the city where groups form human pyramids to break these dahi handis (clay pot filled with curd).
8. Bandra Feast
September
A week-long festival marks the birth of the Virgin Mary, starting on a Sunday closest to 9 September at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount. Devotees climb the stairs leading to the church and light candles. A fair is held on the hill around with food stalls, many shops and shows.
9. Ganesha Chaturthi
August–September
The birth of the elephant-god, Ganesha, is by far the most important festival of the city. Devotees install his idols in their homes as well as in community spaces on the first day, and elaborate celebrations mark the next 10 days. On Ganesha Chaturthi (the last day), devotees converge at beaches in huge processions, carrying the idols for immersion. Ganesha is sent to sea accompanied by drumbeats, devotional songs and dancing, in the hopes that he will return next year. All roads are clogged and the city almost grinds to a halt on this day.
Idol immersion on Ganesh Chaturthi
10. Diwali
October/November
The festival of lights is celebrated on the 13th day of Ashwin (seventh month of the Hindu calendar). It is believed to be the day Lord Rama returned from exile to his kingdom of Ayodhya, after killing the demon king Ravana. Signifying the victory of good over evil, people light up their homes and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha as well.
TOP 10 CULTURAL EVENTS
1. KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival
The annual festival, held since 2010, screens international LGBTQ films.
Poster for the Queer Film Festival
2. Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF)
The MIFF is a documentary, short fiction and animation film festival.
3. Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival
This festival showcases the latest independent films alongside genre Bollywood and Hollywood fare.
4. Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival (MSIFF)
Started in 2012, MSIFF is a platform for progressive short-film makers.
5. Mumbai Women’s International Film Festival
A significant film festival of Asia, this annual event features films made by women directors and technicians.
6. Banjara International Film Festival (BIFF)
Formerly known as the Navi Mumbai festival, the BIFF travels to many cities. It hosts films, workshops and seminars.
7. Going Solo Theatre Festival
India’s only such festival, Going Solo celebrates single-actor performances.
8. Prithvi Theatre Festival
Owned by the famous Kapoor family, the theatre hosts this festival annually.
9. Centrestage Theatre Festival
Thespians and newcomers perform across genres on a common platform.
10. Mudra Dance Festival
An annual classical dance festival is a draw for senior and young dancers.
