PALGHAR

Palghar 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. What we discuss here is what the district is especially known for. For instance, the Bohada Festival, Chikoo Festival, Dahanu Mahalakshmi Jatra, and Kupari Mahotsav, among others, which highlight the local traditions and historical connections. Together, these celebrations offer insight into the district’s social fabric and collective rhythms of life.

The Bohada Festival is an annual celebration rooted in the cultural traditions of the indigenous communities of Mokhada taluka in Palghar district. With a legacy spanning almsot 300 years, it holds deep significance for the Warli, Kokna, Mahadev Koli, Malhar Koli, Dhor Koli, Katkari, and Thakar communities. The festival centers on vibrant masked performances that depict scenes from local legends, epics, oral traditions, and spiritual narratives, including stories of village devis and devtas like Jagdamba Devi.

Typically held between late March and early May, the festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Vaishakh. Its timing differs across villages and may coincide with festivals such as Akshay Tritiya, Gudi Padwa, Holi (Shimga), Hanuman Jayanti, or Nag Panchami. Depending on local customs, celebrations may span three to fifteen days, with the final days drawing the largest gatherings.

A defining feature of Bohada is the use of intricately crafted masks known as “songas”, which represent forest gods, ancestral figures, animals, and iconic personalities from epic storytelling traditions. Around 52 different masks are used, portraying devis and devtas like Ganesh, Saraswati, Shiv, and Vishnu, as well as momentous figures from local traditions. Traditionally carved from wood and leather, these masks are now also made using paper pulp, clay, and natural adhesives. Treated with reverence, they are carefully preserved and ritually honored before performances.

The heart of the festival lies in the Natya Bohada: a dramatic dance performed by masked artists to the rhythms of the sambal (double drum) and the melodies of the shehnai (conical oboe). These processions, typically held at night, are lit by mashals (torches) as performers move through village lanes, reenacting powerful stories such as those of Hiranyakashipu, Bakasur, Tratika and the like. Rituals begin with prayers and offerings to local devis and devtas. Women take part in preparatory ceremonies, including momentous rice sowing ahead of the festival. The celebrations culminate in a communal meal at dawn, reinforcing kinship and community bonds.

While the Bohada Festival has primarily been celebrated in Mokhada, Bharsatmet village is especially known for its grand celebrations today. In many families, the tradition is passed down from generation to generation, with children trained in the performance and rituals to ensure the festival’s continuity and cultural relevance over long periods of time.

The Chikoo Festival is a two-day annual event held in the Dahanu-Gholvad region of Palghar district, Maharashtra, typically at Bordi Beach. Celebrating the region’s prominent chikoo (sapodilla) cultivation and local culture, the festival has been organized by the Rural Entrepreneurship Welfare Foundation since 2013. 

The Dahanu-Gholvad belt accounts for over one-third of Maharashtra’s chikoo production and was awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2016. The festival showcases a wide range of chikoo-based products such as ice cream, chips, powders, pickles, chocolates, wine, and breakfast cereals. More than 200 shopping stalls and over 20 food stalls take part in the event, reflecting the region’s agricultural innovation and culinary diversity.

Beyond the marketplace, the festival includes paragliding, agro-farm tours, cycling trails, and workshops on Warli painting and local crafts. Folk dance performances, live music, and appearances by prominent artists add to the festive atmosphere. The event draws visitors from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and Surat, boosting tourism and rural entrepreneurship.

Held in the pleasant February weather, the Chikoo Festival also features trekking, stargazing, and local Konkani cuisine. It serves as a vibrant platform for farmers, artisans, and women entrepreneurs, encouraging small-scale industries such as chikoo drying and processing.

Dahanu Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Dahanu, a small town in Palghar district, historically known for cattle rearing and named Dhenu Gram, meaning “village of cows.” The festival provides a vibrant platform for showcasing local art, traditional practices, and community performances. It also plays an important role in supporting the local economy by fostering cultural exchange and encouraging active participation from residents and visitors alike. It spotlights local culture, heritage, agriculture, eco-tourism, and the town’s famed chikoo (sapodilla) orchards. The festival’s mission is to uplift the local community, stimulate the economy, and showcase Dahanu’s natural beauty and traditional art forms.​

Activities include horse beach racing, water sports, stargazing, night camping, chikoo farm tours, pottery and Warli painting workshops, explorations of local fisherman villages, and cultural performances.​ Over 200 stalls offer local handicrafts, farm produce, and regional cuisine, involving self-help groups and entrepreneurs.​ Visitors enjoy free admission, with programs like sustainability workshops, art exhibits, children’s activities, sand art, and folk dance.​

With an emphasis on ecology, the festival offers workshops and activities designed to promote environmental consciousness and sustainable living.​ The Dahanu Festival is an inviting blend of arts, adventure, heritage, and eco-tourism, welcoming cultural enthusiasts, families, and adventure seekers to experience the spirit of Dahanu on the scenic Maharashtra coast.

The Dahanu Mahalaxmi Jatra is an annual festival held in honor of Devi Mahalaxmi at the Mahalaxmi Mandir near Charoti, about 4 km off the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway (NH-48), in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district. Drawing thousands of people from Maharashtra and Gujarat, the event is one of the most significant religious gatherings in the region.

The Mandir was established in 1306 by Koli king Jayaba Mukne of the former Jawhar State. Ritual responsibilities at the Mandir are carried out by the Satav clan of the Malhar Koli community. The Jatra, also known as the Mahalaxmi Yatra, begins on Hanuman Jayanti during the month of Chaitra (March–April) and continues for 15 days, concluding around Chaitra Vadya Ashtami. It opens with a traditional flag-hoisting ceremony conducted by a priest from Vaghadi village.

Throughout the festival, people participate in daily aartis, bhajans, and ritual offerings (bhets) to the Devi, bringing flowers and prasad. The Mandir remains a continuous site of pilgrimage, with many visitors also trekking up to the hilltop devasthan, believed to be the Devi’s original abode.

The Jatra includes cultural performances such as the tarpa dance by indigenous communities, vibrant processions, and numerous stalls selling religious items, snacks, and seasonal local produce like chikoo. The Mandir is accessible by road and rail, after which the climb to the hilltop devasthan takes about an hour and involves steep stairs.

The festival brings together indigenous groups, farmers, and local traders, generating income for vendors, transport operators, and nearby settlements. While the Mandir premises are well-maintained, peak days witness large crowds, making early mornings or weekdays preferable for darshan. Visitors are advised to complete the hill climb before late afternoon, as the surrounding forest becomes quiet after sunset. The Dahanu Mahalaxmi Jatra stands as a vital religious and cultural tradition in Palghar district.

The Experience Palghar Festival is a vibrant cultural and tourism initiative launched by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) to celebrate the rich tribal heritage, art, and ecology of Palghar district.​​ Held during 28 Feb - 2 March 2025, the festival took place across Bapugaon, Ganjad, and Gholwad villages, and featured over 650 local artists from 23 villages, drawing more than 20,000 visitors. It aims to promote community-led experiential tourism, where visitors immerse themselves in local ways of life rather than being passive spectators.​​

The festival showcased Warli paintings, Bohada mask making, basketry, and paduka craftwork, representing Palghar’s deep-rooted tribal and artisan traditions.​ Folk performances, including traditional Taarpa dances, tribal drumming, and music sessions, brought the region’s living heritage to life.​ Visitors engaged in hands-on workshops on Warli painting, pottery, and bamboo craft; and enjoyed rural cuisine, local farm produce, and Chikoo-based delicacies from Dahanu and surrounding villages.​​

The festival was designed to highlight Palghar’s ecotourism potential and strengthen sustainable livelihoods for artisans, farmers, and women-led self-help groups. It also emphasized environmental awareness through curated eco-walks, nature trails, and local biodiversity booths.​​ 

The Kupari Mahotsav is a vibrant cultural festival celebrated by the Kupari community, a small group rooted in North Vasai in Palghar district. Spread across about 14 villages situated in the region’s scenic grasslands, the community traces its heritage to the 15th century, when Portuguese missionaries arrived in the area. While many Kupari people adopted Christianity, they retained key aspects of their indigenous identity. In recent years, with the community’s population declining and their distinct dialect and traditions at risk of fading, elders launched the Kupari Mahotsav in 2022 as a way to preserve and pass on their cultural legacy.

The festival serves as a platform to reconnect younger generations with ancestral customs, from traditional clothing and culinary practices to the community’s native dialect/language. Men wear dhotis, sadras (tunics), black jackets, and red caps, while women dress in red garments adorned with povala jewellery. The Mahotsav begins with a spirited Dindi (procession), often led by a decorated bullock cart demonstrating gratitude for agrarian life. Throughout the event, the Kupari dialect is spoken proudly, reinforcing linguistic roots and strengthening communal ties. A central ritual honors individuals who have contributed meaningfully to the community (through farming, craftsmanship, or leadership), celebrating values of dedication and excellence.

While the festival is deeply rooted in Kupari identity, it warmly welcomes visitors. Attendees can observe the processions, enjoy traditional dishes like rice-based sweets and fish curries, and engage with the community’s living traditions. Organizers view this exchange as essential, not only for fostering appreciation of Kupari culture but also for ensuring its resilience in the face of changes in modern times.

The Nirmal Jatra is an annual fair held in Nirmal village, Vasai taluka, in Palghar district. Centered around the samadhi of Jagadguru Shankaracharya, it is among the most important religious and social gatherings in the region, drawing thousands of visitors each year (in 2023, the Jatra began in early December).

Located about 50 km north of Mumbai city, Nirmal is considered a spiritually significant site. It is closely associated with Bhagwaan Parshuram, and the nearby Nirmal Lake further enhances its religious importance. The Jatra includes processions, devotional rituals, and offerings, along with stalls selling traditional food, handicrafts, and religious items.

Historically, the event was part of the Thane district until the formation of Palghar district on 1 August 2014. Since then, it has continued as a key celebration under the new district, preserving and reflecting the region’s cultural heritage. The fair holds special meaning for local communities such as the Vadval, Warli, and Koli, providing both a space for bhakti and a platform for social and economic interaction.

Easily accessible via the Western Line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway, with Vasai station as a key hub, the Nirmal Jatra continues to be a vital occasion for community gathering and cultural continuity each December.

The Vadval Mahotsav is an annual cultural celebration observed by the Vadval community in Palghar district. Though formal documentation of the festival remains limited, it stands as a vibrant expression of the community’s cultural identity and unity. The Mahotsav serves as a large-scale reunion, drawing together Vadval families and friends from across the region to honour their shared heritage.

The event features a rich lineup of traditional performances, including folk dances, music, and theatrical skits that draw from local legends and historical narratives. These performances reflect the community’s deep-rooted oral traditions. A major highlight of the Mahotsav is its authentic cuisine, offering a variety of dishes like spicy fish curries, rice bhakris, and seasonal delicacies that celebrate the Vadval community’s coastal and agrarian lifestyle. Through its performances, food, and community spirit, the Vadval Mahotsav reaffirms cultural pride while strengthening social bonds.