॥ Om Namah Shivaya ||

events & Festivals

Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple follows a yearly cycle of traditional poojas, utsavas, grand chariot processions, and sacred rituals celebrated according to the traditional temple calendar.

🚩 Regular Periodic Utsavas
Held regularly from Kartika Shuddha Pratipada to Vaishakha Amavasya throughout the sacred period:

Monday Utsava

Conducted every Monday following the night Bali procession.

Poornima Utsava

Held on every Full Moon day starting at 5:00 PM.

Amavasya Rathotsava

Chariot festival conducted on New Moon days after the night Bali (Final cycle on Akshaya Tritiya).

Chaitra Month

Spring / New Year
Ugadi Utsava (Shuddha Pratipada)
Morning Panchanga Shravana; 5:00 PM procession around Kotitheertha, Kavale Matha, and Main Temple.
Kamotsava (Shuddha Dvadashi)
Night procession to Tadadi & Kameshwar Matha at Kotitheertha; returns next day.
Kamadahanotsava / Suggi Utsava (Shuddha Trayodashi)
Held after night Bali, passing through Patta Vinayaka, Mahaganapati Temple, and Main Temple.
Damanotsava (Shuddha Chaturdashi)
Noon Damanaropana Havana & offering during Maha Pooja, followed by Damanotsava at 5:00 PM.

Vaishakha Month

Annual Cycle
Vasanta Pooja
Performed every evening prior to the twilight Salam Pooja.
Akshaya Tritiya Rathotsava
The final Chariot Festival of the regular annual cycle held on Vaishakha Shuddha Tritiya.
Regular Utsavas
Monday Utsava and Poornima Utsava continue as scheduled.

Jyeshtha & Ashadha

Monsoon Cycle
Daily Nitya Rituals Continued
All daily mandatory rituals including Maha Pooja, daily Bali, and Prayashchitta Havana continue uninterrupted.
Utsava Pause
Regular Monday Utsava, Poornima Utsava, and Amavasya Rathotsava are paused during these two months.

Shravana Month

Devotional Month
Nagara Panchami
Procession to Nageshwara Temple after evening Salam Pooja with torchlights and music.
Shiva Pavitraropana (Shukla Trayodashi/Chaturdashi)
Special pooja with Ekadasha Rudra and offering of sacred Pavitra thread at noon.
Krishna Janmashtami & Procession
Special pooja at pillar image on Krishna Ashtami, night Salam procession to Krishna Temple at Kotitheertha, and return procession on Navami at 5:00 PM.
Loka Kalyana Pooja & Simha Month
August 15 special prayers for universal welfare; daily flower decorations during Salam Pooja in Simha month.

Bhadrapada Month

Ganesha & Parvati
Gauri Tritiya
Evening Salam procession proceeds to Sri Parvati Temple.
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival (4-Day Event)
Installation and worship of clay Ganesha idol. Evening Salam procession visits Sri Mahaganapati Temple.
Ganesha Visarjana Procession
Special pooja on the 3rd day; grand procession and ocean immersion on the 4th day at 5:00 PM.

Ashwayuja Month

Navaratri & Deepavali
Sharada Pooja (Shukla Saptami – Navami)
Installation and traditional worship of Goddess Sharada.
Vijayadashami & Ganga Betrothal
Vijayotsava procession route; Krishna Ashtami Ganga Devi Nishchitarthotsava betrothal procession to Gangavali.
Deepavali & Harvest Festival
Oil bath ritual; Shiva-Ganga Vivahotsava at Rudrapada (5:00 PM); Nootana Dhanya Kartanotsava paddy harvest ritual in Bankikodla.

Kartika Month

Deepotsava & Lights
Pratishta Utsava & Tulasi Vivaha
Shukla Pratipada fruit offerings & 5:00 PM Pratishta Utsava; Tulasi Vivaha at Tulasi Katte on Dvadashi.
Kartika Poornima Deepotsava
Laksha Bilvarchana Homa, Vanamahotsava to Bheemakunda, Jalayantrotsava & Deepotsava at Kotitheertha, and Rathotsava.
Kartika Amavasya & Divine Wedding
Ranga Pooja, Rathotsava, and Vrischika Krishna Pratipada Shiva-Parvati Vivahotsava at Shankaranarayana Temple.

Margashira & Pushya

Winter Rituals
Monday & Poornima Utsavas
Regular weekly Monday Utsavas and monthly Poornima Utsavas conducted as per tradition.
Amavasya Rathotsava
Monthly New Moon Chariot Procession held after night Bali.

Phalguna Month

Purification
Shivaratri Fair Conclusion
Grand Shivaratri Jathre concludes on Phalguna Shukla Dvitiya.
Samprokshana Havana (Krishna Chaturdashi)
Morning Punyahavachana, purification Havana, pooja, and Udayana Bali.
✦ Grand Annual Festival ✦

9-Day Shivaratri Mahotsava (Magha Jathre)

Celebrated from Magha Krishna Navami to Phalguna Shukla Dvitiya, beginning with Ratha Saptami preparation rituals.

Day 1
Dhwajarohana
Maha Sankalpa, Flag hoisting, Vrishayaga, Mrittika Haranotsava, and Ankuraropana.
Day 2
Gajavahana
Grand procession with the Elephant Vehicle (Gajavahana Yantrotsava).
Day 3
Hamsavahana
Grand procession with the Swan Vehicle (Hamsavahana Yantrotsava).
Day 4
Simhavahana
Grand procession with the Lion Vehicle (Simhavahana Yantrotsava).
Day 5
Maha Shivaratri
Vrishabhavahana procession, night Deepotsava, Jalayantrotsava, & Rathotsava.
Day 6
Mayuravahana
Grand procession with the Peacock Vehicle (Mayuravahana Yantrotsava).
Day 7
Ashwavahana
Grand procession with the Horse Vehicle (Ashwavahana Yantrotsava).
Day 8
Maharathotsava
Grand Chariot procession, Mrigabhete royal hunt ritual at Devarata Ashrama, & Gramabali.
Day 9
Avabritha / Okali
Churnotsava, Holy dip at Kotitheertha, Dhwajavarohana flag lowering, and Prasada distribution.

Private & Family-Sponsored Rathotsavas

Annual chariot festivals sponsored by hereditary family lineages and devotees:

  • Hosamane Family Annual Swati Utsava
  • Marigoli Family Disciples Annual Rathotsava
  • Mapadi Family Disciples Annual Rathotsava
  • Jogalekar Family Annual Rathotsava