Pune is a city of celebrations and its cultural calendar is crammed with interesting events and festivals. Some are unique to the city such as the Swami Gandharva (classical Indian mucis festival), Pune Festival, Purshottam karandak and Ganesh Chaturthi.
January:
Makar Sankrati - The year begin with the Hindu Festival of Makar Sankranti celebrated on January 14.On this day the Sun starts moving into the northern hemisphere, heralding the beginning of the auspicious half of the year, characterized by increasing daylight.Til laddoos are exchanged along with greetings of “Til-gul ghya god god bola”, which means “Accept these sweets and speak sweet words.”
Bakri Eid - It is the Festival of Muslims, in the days before the festival a common sight around the city is that of sacrificial goats tethered to tress and poles.Preayers and feasts mark the day.
The Pune International Film Festival - Celluloid fans eagerly anticipate the Pune International Film Festival that brings world class cinema and International film personalities to the city.
February:
Shaniwarwada Dance festival - This Festival theme is some of the top artists of the country against the magistic backdrop of the historic Shaniwar wada.
Verve - In a city known for its college festivals, Verve is among the most popular .Backed by big sponsers, this high profile intercollegiate festival features a mélange of dance, music and theatre performances and other interesting activity.
Mahashivratri - Mahashivratri means “The great night of Shiva”. Of the several Leganda attached to this festival, one of them celebrates the marriage of Shiva and Shakti.On this day, devotees throng the temple of Lord Shiva, like Pataleshwar caves on J.M.Road or the Vishveshwar temple at Appa Balwant Chowk.
Muharram - Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The 10-day festival honours the Martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The grandson of Prophet Mohammed. On the last day Processions of tazias (glittering replicas of the martyr's tomb) are taken out in the city and the Imambara in camp draws many devotees.
MARCH:
HOLI - Holi is the most colorful festival of the Hindus and heralds the arrival of spring. The night before Holi, a bonfire or Holika is burnt on street corners to symbolise the victory of good over evil. On the next day also known as dhulivandan. People spray coloured water on each other and distribute sweets.
April:
Gudi Padwa - One of the most auspicious occasions in the state of Maharashtra. Gudi Padwa heralds spring and the New Year. It is celebrated on the first day (Padwa) of the Hindu month of chaitra.Devout families welcome the New Year by worshipping the gudi set up at the house entrance of the house and by consuming neem leaves. Symbolising victory or achievement, the gudi comprises a pole or bamboo staff decorated with saffron or green silk cloth, neem and mango leaves, gathi (sweets made from sugar) and an upturned brass or silver pot.
Ramnavami - This celebrates the birth of legendary Hindu king Ram, considered to be an incarnation of lord Vishnu and worshipped with fervour as a God .The Tulshibaug Ram Mandir comes alive with bhajans. Kirtans and devotees on this special day.
May:
Maharashtra Day - May 1 is celebrated as the foundation day of the state. A Holiday, it is marked by the hoisting of the Indian flag at government and local political party offices and the city resounds with celebratory crise of' Jai Maharashtra'.
June:
Vat Purnima - This is an important festival for married Hindu women, who ceremoniously worship the banyan (vat) tree and pray for the long life of their husbands.
July:
August:
Shravan - Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar and has always been regarded as especially holy almost all the days of this month are auspicious and several religious festival and ceremonies are held in homes. Across the city during this month you will see large crowds of worshippers at shiva temples throughout the city on Mondays. While on Fridays the crowds gather at the chaturshringi and jogeshwari temples, Dedicated to incarnations of Goddess laxmi.
Independence Day - Every Indian citizen proudly celebrated 15th August to mark the freedom of the country from British rule.
Nag Panchami - On this day. People pray to the Nag-devata (snake god) and offer milk to snakes carried in cane baskets by snake charmers across the city.
Gokulashtami - Also known as Janmashtami. This festival celebrated the birth of lord Krishna, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon. In several areas of the city you will see dahi-handis, pots of yoghurt and butter, strung high across the streets and young men forming a human pyramid in an effort to reach out and break open the pot. The SNDT College on Karve road puts up a pyramid display with the exclusive participation of girls.
Raksha Bandhan - A widely celebrated festival all over India. It involves sisters tying beautifully decorated threads or rakhis on their brother’s wrists to signify an eternal bond between the siblings.
Navroz - ‘Nav’ means new and ‘roz’ means day. Parsis celebrated their New Year by offering prayers at the Agiaries (fire temples) in camp and Rasta Peth, and exchanging sweets. A number of restaurants in the city hold parsi food festivals featuring favorites like patrani machhi (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves) and Sali boti (little meat chunks cooked in a gravy and decorated with potato straws).
September:
Ganesh chaturthi - Held to honour lord Ganesh, the Hindu ‘God of New Beginnings’ this is the biggest and most colourful festival in the city. Marked by community celebrations at every street corner.
The Pune Festival - Coinciding with the ten-day Ganesh Festival is the internationally acclaimed pune festival, an Extravaganza of dance, music and culture.
October:
Navratri - Celebrated over nine nights, this festival is dedicated to Hindu goddess Durga or Shakti. Revellers dressed in their finery gather in the evening to join in the lively group folk dances called garba and dandia-ras.
Dussehra - Dussehra signifies the victory of good over evil. According to the ancient epic Ramayana, it is the day on which Lord Ram killed the demon Ravana cars and homes are decorated with string of yellow and Orange marigolds, and people worship the tools of their trade including vehicles, machinery, books and even computers.
Ramzan Id - Devout Muslims undertake fasts during the holy month of Ramzan, only eating late in the evening or before sun rise. Every evening during this month, the lanes of mominpura area in camp and Bohri Ali in the inner city become lively food courts with stalls selling delicacies like kebabs, biryani and sweets.
November:
Diwali - Held to celebrate the return home of Lord Rama after 14 year of exile, Diwali is one of the most beautiful Indian festival.Homes are lit with diyas (oil lamps) and lanterns to dispel darkness and welcome light and prosperity people don new clothes. Visit relatives and friends, and exchange sweets that have been painstakingly prepared at home. For children, lighting colorful and often noisy firecrackers is the highlight of the festival.
December-
Pune International Marathon - A high Profile and colorful event the marathon draws almost 30.000 participants, ranging from celebrated athletes, to enthusiastic youngsters and the fitness conscious.
Vintage Car Rally - While there is no fixed date for the annual vintage Car Rally. It is eagerly awaited by motor enthusiasts from across the country. Among the well-maintained beauties that feature in the Rally are some dating back to1919.
