Chaitra Festival

Every year on full moon of Chaitra (April Month) an enormous festival happens on Jyotiba Mountain. About six to seven lakh of pilgrims from various districts and territories of Maharashtra come to this festival. At this time, the devotees cheers the name of Shree jotiba in a single hymn of 'Chan G Bhal', by defeating their entire consciousness. All the 'festival scenes' are very unique, throwing Gulal, coconut and Bandi coins the palanquin. On this day, Shree’s Government Maha Abhishekam takes place in early morning at 5 to 6 AM and Mahapuja at 7 to 8 AM. Also, at 10 to 12 AM in the morning there was a Dhuparati and Pancharati. Respected people start the process of procession at around 1 PM. At this time, saasan Sticks dances on the tunes of halagai, Pipani and clarinet. Sasan Kathi means a thirty to seventy feet reed with tuft and flags on top! The jotiba's vehicle 'horse' is installed in the bottom. On Jyotiba, there are 106 respected Sasan Reeds are defined and they comes to mountain on the day before. The Lavajama of Camel, Horse, cannon cart and Bhaldar, Chopdar adds value to the glory of this festival. About 5pm in evening, after the formal worship ceremony the festive idol of Shree Jyotiba sits in palanquin and heads toward Yamai Temple. As Goddess Yamai is sister of Shree Jyotiba so on same day after sunset Goddess Yamai gets married to Jamadgni. This wedding ceremony is held in the Yamai Temple. On this occasion Shree Jyotiba takes gift in their palanquin for Goddess Yamai and they returns to temple after finishing the ceremony. At this time various religious rituals performs with attractive fireworks. It takes month to finish this festival of Chitra Pournima.