Marathi festival
Gokulashtami — गोकुळाष्टमी
gōkuḷāṣṭamī
August–September · birth of Lord Krishna
Known in Maharashtra as Gokulashtami, this marks the midnight birth of Lord Krishna. Mumbai, Thane and Pune are famous for dahi-handi competitions, where govinda troupes form human pyramids to break curd pots strung high above the street.
Greetings in Marathi
गोकुळाष्टमीच्या शुभेच्छा
gōkuḷāṣṭamīcyā śubhecchā
"Happy Janmashtami!"
universal
गोविंदा आला रे!
gōvindā ālā rē!
"Govinda has come!"
playful, during dahi handi
Customs & traditions
- ✦Daylong fast broken at midnight
- ✦Dahi-handi — human pyramids competing to break curd pots
- ✦Decorating handis (curd pots) strung high above the street
Traditional foods
माखन साखर
mākhan sākhar
Butter with sugar — Krishna's favourite, offered as prasad
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More Marathi festivals
Diwali in Marathi
October–November · the festival of lights
Holi in Marathi
March · the festival of colours
Raksha Bandhan in Marathi
August · full-moon day of Shravan
Navratri in Marathi
September–October · nine nights
Karva Chauth in Marathi
October–November
Gudi Padwa in Marathi
March or April · first day of Chaitra, the Marathi New Year
Ganesh Chaturthi in Marathi
August–September · birth of Lord Ganesha