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Perspective of Fairs and Festivals

Perspective of Fairs and Festivals

CHAPTER III PERSPECTIVE OF FAIRS AND

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Fairs and festivals are an important part of social activities of man. They are arranged all over the world in a variety of ways. Some celebrations are specific to certain areas and some are celebrated by different group, communities in certain villages, cities or even state or country. This gives raise to fairs and festivals their own local flavors. Fairs and festivals are important parts of the Indian cultural life. The life of revolves round the fairs and festivals. In other words we can say that fairs and festivals are heart of the Indian socio-cultural life. In traditional fairs and festivals are connected with religious beliefs, changing season's harvests etc. They are varied in origin. Many of them are performed in a particular manner in different parts of the country. They attract a large number of people from distant places. Hence fairs and festivals have tremendous tourism potential both domestic as well as foreign. district of the state is one of the famous fairs and festivals tourist place in India. Solapur district is unique in religious activities. In Solapur district there is a for every season. Many fairs and festivals celebrate on the various reasons such as birth or death anniversary of historical religious people in different religions, worship of different gods etc. There are a number of places which have religious importance out of some places like , Akkalkot etc. are not only national but world famous. So these places are declared as tourist's centers by government. So it is very important to geographical study of such things. Also focuses the attention on the classification of fairs and festivals of district for the purpose of to develop the tourism activities in the district. In the sense of research this chapter deals with the meaning of the fairs and festivals, their distribution and classification in Solapur district, reasons behind celebrating fairs and festivals and so on.

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3.1 MEANING, DISTRIBUTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF FAIRS AND FESTIVALS For the detailed and systematic study of the fairs and festivals in Solapur district, we need to the classification of fairs and festivals in specific groups. But before preparation of classification and distribution, we also need to understand the meaning of words fair and festivals. Generally, words fair and festival use as interchangeable. 3.1.1 Meaning of Fairs Some scholars stated that the word „Fair‟ may have originated from the Latin word fair or holydays. According to evidence of fairs from Bible (holy book of christen religion), 2000 years ago fairs were considered as a commercial place for merchants to buy and sell their products or goods. On the basis of detailed study some scholars concluded that at that time business activities and religious activities were held in conjunction with each other. So some scholars believe that the word Fairs may have originated from the Latin word fair or holydays. In India fairs are mostly associated with cultural background of religious activities, festivals, agricultural events, local temple etc. Fair is a place where a large number of peoples gathered at specified time for purpose of buying and selling of goods. In short fair is a mixture of commerce, trade, festivals, religious feast and holydays. 3.1.2 Meaning of festivals The etymology of feast is very similar to that of festival. Among many religions, a feast or festival is a set of celebrations in honor of god and goddesses. A feast and festival are historically interchangeable. There is some definition of festivals as follows According to the Webster‟s college dictionary, festivals means a day or time of religious or other celebration marked by feasting ceremonies or other observances. According to the Oxford dictionary, festival is a day or period of celebration typically for religious reasons. According to the Kernerman English learners dictionary, festival is a celebration of a special religious or cultural event. According to the Collins English dictionary, festival is a day or period set aside for celebration or feasting especially one of religious significance.

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Dr. Robin Tribhuwan defines the festival as “It is an occasion that reinforces the presence of god in the life of the individual and the family and binds them to the community. They are also moments for young people to absorb and be part of age-old yet still vibrant and living traditions.” A festival may be observed with acts of worship offerings to deity's , , aarti, , vows etc. With the help of above definition, we define festival as “It is a time of celebration with involvement of family, friends, relatives and community to celebrate the special religious or cultural event.” 3.1.3 Classification of fairs in Solapur district In the study region it is observed that total 1087 villages have their own fairs. Before classification of fairs of Solapur district there is important to first identify the major fairs, which are celebrated in Solapur district. Table No. 3.1 shows that list of the major fairs of Solapur district.

Table No. 3.1 Important fairs in Solapur District

Sr. No Name of Fair

1 Shri Mahalingraya – Huljanti 2 Yatra- Solapur 3 Sangmeshwar Yatra Kudal Hattarsang 4 Shri Naganath Yatra - Mohol 5 Shri Khandoba Yatra- Bale

6 Yatra - Sangola 7 Shri Nagnath Yatra – Hivare 8 Madheshwari Devi Fair, Madha 9 Shri Nagnath Yatra -Vadval 10 Shri Matruling Ganpati Yatra- Siddhapur 11 Panchakshari Yatra Malkavathe (Source- Data compiled by Researcher)

Table No. 3.1 shows that list of the major fairs of Solapur district. Table reveals that their total 11 major fairs celebrated in Solapur district. For the purpose of detail study researcher classifies the fairs in specific groups. So classifies the fairs of the Solapur district in following ways.

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Table No. 3.2 Classification of the fairs according to the annual frequency of fairs No. of Villages who have following annual Sr. Tahsil Frequency of fairs Total No No Fairs at 1 time 2 time More than 2 time place 1 Karmala 06 101 07 02 116 2 Madha 10 81 14 12 117 3 Barshi 07 113 09 07 136 4 North Solapur 05 39 07 03 54 5 Mohol 01 94 08 01 104 6 Pandharpur 05 84 05 01 95 7 Malshiras 03 88 11 08 110 8 Sangola 07 85 01 04 97 9 01 73 85 01 80 10 South Solapur 02 84 03 01 90 11 Akkalkot 00 128 06 01 135 Total 47 970 76 41 1134 (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) Table No. 3.2 Indicated, In Solapur district there are total 47 villages, which have not celebrated any fairs. Total 970 villages have once annually fairs where as total 76 villages celebrated fairs 2 times in the year. Total 41 villages celebrated more than 2times fairs annually.

ANNUAL FREQUENCIES OF FAIRS

140 120 Index 100 80 60 No Fairs at place

Frequency 1 time 40 2 time 20 More than 2 time 0

Tahsils

Fig. 3.1

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Classification according to the number of tourists The Table No. 3.3 shows that total 1087 fairs are celebrated in the Solapur district. But out of them some fairs have a maximum number of tourist. So it is important to study these fairs on the basis of number of tourist.

Table No. 3.3 Classification of the fairs according to the number of tourist Number of villages who have following no of Sr. No Tahsil tourist Total Less than more than 1,00,001 More than 1,00,000 1,00,000 to 5,00,000 5,00,000 1 Karmala 64 46 01 00 110 2 Madha 75 39 02 00 107 3 Barshi 100 28 01 00 127 4 North Solapur 37 13 01 00 49 5 Mohol 47 52 04 00 103 6 Pandharpur 55 33 04 01 90 7 Malshiras 56 51 02 00 107 8 Sangola 76 05 01 00 88 9 Mangalwedha 06 68 05 01 79 10 South Solapur 35 53 01 00 88 11 Akkalkot 92 31 02 01 133 Total 643 419 24 01 1087 (Source- Data compiled by Researcher)

According to Table No.3.3 Akkalkot has highest no of fairs celebrated, followed by Barshi at second and Karmala at third position. In Solapur district there is total 649 fairs have less than 50000 numbers of tourists or visitors. 50001 to 100000 numbers of tourists visited 412 fairs in the district where as 23 fairs have 100001 to 500000 tourists. Solapur district have only 3 fairs which has more than 500000 numbers of tourists.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FAIRS ACCORDING TO NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT 120 100 80 60 Index

40 Less than 1,00,000 No. of Villagesof No. 20 more than 1,00,000 0 1,00,001 to 5,00,000 More than 5,00,000

Tahsils

Fig. 3.2

Classification of the fairs and festivals according to the grant declared by the Government. Table No. 3.4 Classification of the fairs according to the grant declared by the Government A Division B Division C Division Total Sr. No Tahsil 1 Karmala 0 01 46 47 2 Madha 0 02 39 41 3 Barshi 0 01 28 29 4 North Solapur 0 01 13 14 5 Mohol 0 04 52 56 6 Pandharpur 1 04 33 38 7 Malshiras 0 02 51 53 8 Sangola 0 01 05 06 9 Mangalwedha 0 05 68 73 10 South Solapur 0 01 53 54 11 Akkalkot 0 02 31 33 Total 01 24 419 444 (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) For the purpose of development of rural pilgrimage centers in Maharashtra, government classified pilgrimage centers in three different groups on the basis of number of tourists. They as follows

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1. 'A grade' religious tourists centers which have 10 -15 lakhs tourists visiting in the time of fairs or festivals 2. 'B grade' religious tourists centers which have more than 4 lakhs tourist‟s visiting in the time of fairs or festivals 3. 'C grade' tourists centers which have more than 1 lakhs tourists visiting in the time of fairs or festivals On the basis of this category, in Solapur district there is only one tourists center is A grade, while total 24 fairs and festivals places have B grade. There are total 419 existing C grade fairs and festivals tourists‟ centers in Solapur district.

GRANTWISE DISTRIBUTION OF TOURIST CENTERS IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT 80 70 60 Index 50 40 A Division 30 B Division 20 C Division No. of Tourist of Tourist No. centers 10 0

Tahsils

Fig. 3.3

3.1.4 Classification of festivals in Solapur district There are number of festivals celebrating in the Solapur district. So, to detail study of these festivals there is need to classify them in particular groups. So, we classify these festivals according to the geographical factors of the study region, because festival shows the man-environment relationship. It shows that they are closely related to the geographic environment. It is part of geographic study. Hence some of the geographical factors are taking into consideration for the classification of the festivals in the Solapur district. These factors are as religion, season and agricultural activities. Table No. 5 show that the list of major festivals which are celebrated in Solapur district.

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Table No.3.5 List of the festivals celebrating in Solapur District Sr.No Name of the Festival 1 2 Shri Ram Navami 3 Jayanti 4 5 Shri Mahaveer Jayanti 6 Maharashtra Din 7 Akshay Tritiya 8 Boudhya Pournima 9 Vat Pournima 10 Bendur 11 Ashadi 12 Guru Pournima 13 Id Ramjan 14 Nag panchami 15 Narali Pournima 16 17 Shrikrishana Janmashatmi 18 Hartalika 19 Shri 20 Navratri 21 Dasara 22 Kojagiri Pournima 23 24 Natal 25 Makarsankaranti 26 27 Id-a-Milad 28 Id-ul-zuha 29 Parsi Din 30 31 Mahashivratri 32 33 Rangpanchmi (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) According to above table, there are 33 major festivals, which celebrated in Solapur district. Classification according to the religion In earlier mentioned that the peoples of different tribes and castes live in Solapur district. These tribes and castes have their own festivals, which are celebrated on different occasions. So there is necessary to classify these festivals according to the religion.

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Table No. 3.6 Classification of the festivals according to the Religion No Hindu Muslim Christen Jain Nav Common Boudhya 1 Gudi Padwa Id Ramjan Good Shri Boudhya Maharashtra Friday Mahaveer pournima din Jayanti 2 ShriRam Id-a-milad Natal Independence Navami day 3 Hanuman Muharram Republic day Jayanti 4 Akshay Tritiya Id-ul-zuha Rangpanchmi 5 Vat Pournima Parsi Din 6 Bendur 7 Ashadi Ekadashi 8 Guru pournima 9 Nag panchami 10 Narali Pournima 11 Shri Krishana Janmashatmi 12 Hartalika 13 ShriGanesh chaturthi 14 Navratri 15 Dasara 16 Kojagiri Pournima 17 Diwali 18 Makar sankaranti 19 Mahashivratri 20 Holi (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) Table No. 3.6 shows that there are total 20 festivals celebrated dominantly by Hindu religion. Muslims and christens religions celebrated only two festivals where as Jain and Navboudhya religion celebrated only one festival. Here observed that all religions have celebrated all national festivals.

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Classification according to the Season Climate is the most significant aspect of the physical environment including the economic-socio activities of man. It has a considerable influence on the life of the people. The climatic conditions of the region are also responsible for the history of the birth of some festivals. Some festivals are dominated by the climate of the region. So it is very important to classify festivals according to the season. The climate of the Solapur district is mainly divided into 3 main seasons. Table No. 3.7 Main Seasons of Solapur district Sr.No Season Months 1 Summer March to May 2 Monsoon June to October 3 Winter November to February (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) According to seasons, festivals are classify as follows Table No. 3.8 Calssification of the festivals according to the Seasons Sr.No Summer Monsoon Winter 1 Gudi Padwa Vat pournima Diwali 2 Shri Ram Navami Bendur Natal 3 Ashadi ekadashi Makarsankaranti 4 Good Friday Guru pournima Id-a-milad 5 Shri Mahaveer Id Ramjan Republic day Jayanti 6 Maharashtra Din Nag panchami Mahashivratri 7 Akshay Tritiya Narali pournima Muharram 8 Boudhya pournima Independence day 9 Holi Shrikrishana Janmashatmi 10 Rangpanchmi Hartalika 11 Shri Ganesh chaturthi 12 Navratri 13 Dasara 14 Kojagiri pournima (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) In Solapur district it is seen that maximum number of festivals are held in Monsoon season followed by summer. On the other hand, winter season has least no of festivals.

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Classification according to the agricultural activities Production of food grain is associated with joy and happiness. Therefore festive celebration is linked with every stage of agricultural process and production. The main festivals shown in any agricultural region associated with different agricultural activities. Agricultural activities which are associated with festivals as 1. Preparation of agricultural land 2. Sowing 3. Rejoice over growth of new leaf and vegetables 4. Harvest Table No.3.9 Classification of festivals according to agricultural activities. Sr.No Association activities Festivals 1 Preparation of agricultural land Holi 2 Sowing Avani 3 Rejoice over growth of new leaf and vegetables 4 Harvest Dasara, Diwali (Source- Data compiled by Researcher) In these way festivals, which celebrated in Solapur district, classify into different groups.

3.2 REASONS OF CELEBRATING FAIRS AND FESTIVALS Earlier mentioned that, in Solapur district there are many fairs and festivals for every season and every for reasons. Fairs and festivals celebrated on the different occasion such as the various harvest, commemorate great historical Fig.‟s and events, devotion to the deities of different religion. Some celebrations are specific to certain villages. Some are celebrated by different sects and communities. This gives fairs and festivals their own flavor. Every fair and festival have its own purpose. Such as religious purpose, social purpose, entertaining purpose and national integration purpose etc. 1. Religious Purpose: Fairs and festivals are celebrated to make life enjoyable and have fun. But there is also a religious reason behind celebrating all the fairs and festivals. Some people celebrate only to have fun, and others want to give respect to their religious god or to pay attention towards their god. There are number of festivals which are 74 celebrated only religious purpose. Such as Ram Navami, Shri Janamashatmi, Hanuman Jayanti etc. are celebrated for express devotion to the deities. Festivals are mostly based on incidents which happened long ago mostly in which God is involved. For example, Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated because when Prophet Ibrahim was asked to sacrifice his son for God he willingly agreed and just as he was about to strike, Allah was pleased with him and removing Ibrahim's son's head from under the blade ready to strike, He sent a ram. This had been a test to see how devoted Ibrahim was to his Lord. Thus Muslims all over the world sacrifice goats and sheep remembering this incident. Another example would be that of Diwali. celebrate this because on this day (a Hindu God) had come home after his 16 year exile. Rama had been exile because his jealous stepmother had wanted her own son Bharat to become king. Everyone knew Rama was innocent but they cud not stop the king. Thus everyone was happy when he returned. That night had happened to be a moonless night n all the people of land had lit up their homes with candles, thus the candles being lit on Diwali today. Fairs and festivals create a religious environment, which gives us strength, builds confidence and as we are human beings, we love to meet and share things. Thus we celebrate these fairs and festivals. We celebrate these fairs and festivals to remember our cultural and religious traditions, to express our feelings and devotion to God. We celebrate fairs and festivals so as to keep our souls and spirits in tune with our traditional values and ethics. Most of the fairs and festivals are related to our culture and traditions. Poorest poor get an opportunity to celebrate fairs and festivals in the name of god and traditions despite scarce resources. Fairs and festivals help us to remember the history of the religion or the person. These help we review the principles of the religion we follow. Religious festivals are celebrated to celebrate some of the lord‟s birthdays and victories of good over bad. We follow fairs and festivals in the true spirit remembering the god, purifying ourselves avoid doing sins and not burden in souls because of wrong doing. These celebrations are remembering someone who made great sacrifices to guide the mankind in the correct path. 2. Social Purposes: Everyone needs a break from to their usual routine day to day boring work. Celebrating fairs and festivals comes the rescue. It brings to chance to spend time with our family and friends, neighbors etc. India knows as the land of diversity. It is

75 home to various religions n cultures. Every sect struggles to protect their culture by way of carrying out various rites n rituals and passing them on to new generations. In India, there are a lot of fairs and festivals which shows the integrity among the people. The basic idea behind celebrating fairs and festivals is togetherness. Celebrating fairs and festivals people get together and forget all this worries, work burdens and are all left only with joy! This also gives an opportunity to get the of elderly people and it's the time to express our gratitude towards them. Some festivals are celebrated in Solapur district for Social purpose. During the fairs and festival period peoples of different castes meet each other and give the chance to exchange their idea, culture. Such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Rakhi Pournima etc. Fairs and festivals are social activities and have a Social significance. These provide a feeling of unity and have a number of positive benefits. Fairs and festivals all over the globe carry some positive message for whole society and individuals, it provides chance to remember those beliefs that helped in past. In busy schedules fairs and festivals give us a chance to spend good time with family and friends. It‟s may be because of fairs and festivals that some people get to remember tradition and culture rather than getting carried away with western culture. Time of the celebration all peoples come together and they can communicate each other so that they can understand well to all people in his society and because of gathering of people they mix with each other they forget their cast, religion. So the unity is also increasing. 3. Entertaining Purpose: Some festivals are celebrated for entertaining purposes. Such as Rangpanchmi, Nagpanchmi Gopal Kala etc. Celebrating fairs and festivals bring joy and change in one‟s life. Fairs and festivals give break for the people who are very busy with their working. Another important reason for celebrating these fairs and festivals is all relatives and family members gather at one place and enjoy. By doing so one will get out of there tensions whatever it might be. We need break from our day to day life to regain full efficiency in our social and professional life. Fairs and festivals gives us that needed break. When fairs and festivals came people celebrate and forget all the tensions of daily life. One or two day enjoys then refresh and back to the pavilion as we need refreshment in life. We celebrate fairs and festivals to fill colors in our lives.

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On these occasions we take off from our daily routines and share things with our friends and relatives which make us feel alive and happier. 4. National integration purpose: India as known for its diversified culture, ethical values and its unity. So there are some festivals, which are celebrated all over India plays an important role in maintaining the national integration, which celebrated also in Solapur district. These festivals are also known as National festivals of India. These festivals are the reminders of the legends and events of historic importance in our rich and colorful heritage. It serves to unite the people in bonds of goodwill and give them feeling of emotional oneness.

3.3 METHODS OF CELEBRATING FESTIVALS In India festivals are celebrated according to the movement of the planets of sun and moon in the sky. It indicated that Indian festivals are dominant by the astronomy. In India numbers of festivals are celebrated. Each part of the country have their own festivals and own celebrating method of festivals. In Solapur district also have some special methods to celebrate the festivals. So the detailed study of the fairs and festivals in Solapur district, researcher here discussed the methods of celebrations of festivals as following way. Diwali Diwali is a vital festival for Hindus. Diwali, called "festival of lights". It represented success of light over darkness, information over content, good over evil, and hope over despair. The festival includes a five-day period. The main festival night of Diwali related to the darkest, new phase of the moon night of the Hindu lunisolar month Karttika. Within the solar , Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali begins with , followed by Chaturdasi on second day, Diwali on the third day, Diwali Padva dedicated to wife-husband relationship on the fourth day, and festivities finish with Bhau-beej dedicated to sister-brother bond on the fifth day. In this period totally different spiritual activities are seen. In Solapur district, before Diwali people clean, restored and embellished theirs homes and business premises, every house, workplace has external lighting arrangements. Women and youngsters beautify entrances with - inventive vibrant floor

77 designs each within and within the walkways of their homes or offices. On the day of puja - the people worship of goddess Laxmi and - the deity of Health and Healing by giving puja, naivadya. is performed within the evening. On the day of Narak Chaturdasi Special bathing rituals are done such a perfumed oil, bath are command in district, followed by minor pujas.The third day is that the main festal day. People wear new garments. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a decent year ahead. Lakshmi is believed to wander the world on Diwali night. On the evening of Diwali, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her in little ceramic ware lamps stuffed with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some Hindus on the parapets of temples and homes. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and streams.For example Chandrabhaga stream in Pandharpur. Once the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (). The youngsters relish and kind of little fireworks, whereas adults relish wiggling with ground chakra, chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and larger fireworks. The fireworks signify celebration of Diwali similarly the simplest way to push back evil spirits. Once fireworks, people head back to a family feast, conversations and mithai (sweets, ) Diwali conjointly marks the start of recent Year. Merchants and shopkeepers shut out their previous year, and begin a replacement year with blessings from Lakshmi and different deities. The day once Diwali is well known as Padwa. At the moment ceremonially celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. The husbands provide thoughtful or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In Solapur, recently married daughters with their husbands are inviting for special meals. Generally brothers go and devour their sisters from their in-laws home for this vital day. The Last Judgement of festival is named (Brother‟s second). It celebrates the sister-brother warm relationship, in a very spirit almost like however with completely different rituals. Ganesh Ustav According to the Linga literature, Ganapati was created by Lord and deity at the request of the Devas for being a Vighnakartaa (obstacle-

78 creator) within the path of Rakshasas, and a Vighnahartaa (obstacle-averter) to assist the Devas win fruits of their labor.The festival is determined within the month of Bhaadrapada, beginning on the Shukla Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon). The date typically falls between 20 August and 20 Sep. The festival lasts for 10 or 12 days, ending on Anant . This festival is discovered within the synodic month of Bhadrapada shukla chathurthi madhyahana vyapini Purvabhadra. If Chaturthi prevails on both days, the primary day ought to be discovered. Even though chaturthi prevails for the entire period of madhyahana on the second day, if it prevails on the previous day's madhyahana period even for one ghatika (24 minutes), the previous day ought to be discovered. Weeks or perhaps months before Chaturthi, creative clay models of Lord Ganapati are creating sale by especially trained artisans. As per the tradition of their several families, the domestic celebrations return finish to associate degree end once on1, 3, 5, 7 or eleven days once the sculpture is taken during a procession to an oversized body of water like rivers, lake etc. because of environmental issues, variety of families currently avoid the big water bodies and instead immerse the sculpture during a bucket or tub reception. Once some days the clay is employed within the home garden. Mahashivratri In Hindu culture the biggest festival for Lord Shiva is celebrated on Magha Vadya Chaturdashi. This day is known as Mahashivratri. The festival is exclusively dedicated to Lord Shiva. On this day worship of Lord Shiva and the counting of Lord Shiva‟s beds are necessary besides a thousand leaves of bell tree have to be devoted. The offering made of water appeal is devoted to the lord Shiva. In rural part of the district on this day nearly 108 leaves of bell tree are devoted to Lord Shiva. The “ NAMAH SHIVAY” is count on full day. Some people give the slogan “BUM BUM BHOLENATH”. The people from Youngers to the elders all observe fast on this day. It is said that one can acquire the great virtue by observing fast on this day. So people visit the Mahadev temples cordially. In Akluj there are number of tourist visits Shiva Parvati temple on this day. Guru Pornima A person young or old must acquire a guru or teacher in his life. So the celebration for showing our gratefulness towards our teacher known as Guru Pornima. According to the Hindu tradition, the fourth month of Marathi calendar known as

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Ashad. Ashad shudh pornima is celebrated as traditional teacher‟s day. It is also known as Vyas Pornima. On this day the special programmes of sermons are organized by different temple, Institute etc. On this day thousands of tourist visited Shri Samarth Mandir Akkalkot for showing the gratefulness towards the guru Shri Samarth. Muharram Muharram refers to the first month of the Islamic Calendar. The complete month of Muharram is sacred according to the Muslims. However, it is the tenth day which is of most significance. Different factions of the Muslim community observe this day for different reasons. While the Shia Muslims celebrate this day to mourn the death of Husayn Ibn Ali, the Sunni Muslims observe this day to celebrate the victory of Moses over Egyptian Pharaoh. According to the legend popular among Shia Muslims, Husayn Ibn Ali was beheaded during the Battle of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram. Id – A - Milad This is the one of the important festival of Muslim religion. This festival is important as it is the birthday of Hazrat Mohmmed Paigamber the founder of Islam. On this day Mohammedans wear new cloths, they give greetings of Id that is Id- Mubarak to their relatives and friends. They offer Namaz in the mosques.In Solapur region on this day various sweet dishes are prepared in the house of Muslims. This sweet food is known as Sheer-Kurma. People from other religion are invited and served this sweet food. On the next day Muslims go the gardens with their relatives, family members and friends. They take their dinner together. Other people from the society also participate in this occasion. Ramzan Id It is important festivals of Muslims. Ramzan is the ninth month out of the twelve months of the Islamic calendar. This month know as the month of fasting. It is known as Vow of Ramzan. The day when this when this vow is completed is known as Ramzan Id. It is also called as Id-Ul-Fitr. In Islam the vow of Ramzan given for attainment of heaven.Vow of Ramzan means fasting. These fasts are so hard. Their rules have to be followed strictly. During these days the Muslims do not eat or drink anything in the span between Sunrise and Sunset. They give up all addictions and keep their fast for a month. The fast also known as Roja. The fasting of Ramzan ends

80 with the festival of Ramzan Id. On this day, all Muslims men women, Youngers and elders wear fine cloths and gather in the Idgah ground situated at the outskirts of the villages or towns. The local Moulvies (Priests) read Khutba. In Khutba, all kinds of domestic, social, religious and spiritual duties are stated. Id-ul-zuha The Id-ul-Zuha is a festival that is celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety in India and the world. Many Muslims wear new clothes and attend an open-air prayer meeting during Id-ul-Zuha. They may sacrifice a sheep or goat and share the meat with family members, neighbors and the poor. Many Muslims feel that they have a duty to ensure that all Muslims can enjoy a meat based meal during this . Parsi Din This marks the first day of the Zoroastrian calendar. As with most Indian religions, the Navroze date changes each year. This happens because the Zoroastrian calendar does not account for leap years in the Georgian calendar that is followed worldwide. However as with all New Years, Navroze (or New Day) also signifies the beginning all things new and all the rituals associated with it celebrate the ushering in a new era. Celebrations of Parsi involve homes getting a fresh coat of paint and decorations that include and flowers. Pola Pola is the typical rural festival which is the festival of the Bullocks. It is celebrated on the last of Shravan. It is festival celebrated to thank the bullocks for their precious contribution in cultivation and of course production of cows and bullocks. This is the occasion of , the bullocks are washing with water and decorated. Their homes are painted. In the evening all the bullocks are assembled in the open ground of the village and later on taken to the masters house where they are worshipped and given cooked food to eat. No work is taken from them that on this day. Holi It is the festival of fire. The festival date varies every year, per the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in March, sometimes February in the . The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and

81 forgive, and repair ruptured relationships. In rural parts of Solapur it was identified as a festival that celebrated , commemorated good spring harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colours and saying farewell to winter. Holi festivities mark the beginning of new year to many Hindus, as well as a justification to reset and renew relationships, end conflicts and accumulated emotional impurities from past. It also has a religious purpose, symbolically signified by the legend of . The night before Holi, bonfires are lit, in a ceremony known as (burning of Holika) or Little Holi. Fire is lit at a common place which is worshipped as Holi. Five called “Vatya” and Five Bhakris of rice flour called Papdya are tied to the top of the pole. The firewood kept around the pole is theem lighted and fire is worshipped as Holi by a man who enjoys the hereditary right of soing so. Persons assembled around Holi and throw pieces of firewood and worshiped it. People gather near fires, sing and dance. The next day, Holi, also known as Dhuli in Sanskrit, or Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated. Children and youth spray coloured powder solutions (Gulal) at each other, laugh and celebrate, while elders tend to smear dry coloured powder (Abir) on each other's face. Methods of celebrating Fairs In Solapur district it is seen that maximum number of fairs are held in the month of April followed by February, December and May when crops are harvested and the farmers are in a mood to celebration and rejoice. On the other hand June, July, August, September has least no of fairs because of heavy rainfall and agricultural work. Seasonality is adjusted to the working calendar of rural people and the size of fairs depends upon the success of crops or agricultural production and the behavior of monsoon. Also, the fair is a reflection of socio – economic and cultural heritage of a particular society. The functions of fairs are included religious programs like Puja, Palkhi, Rath, Naivadhya, and Chhabina and so on. While special functions of new projects etc take place. All these functions are vital in the development of a region. The fairs provide the integration force in the rural socio-economic life. In addition to fairs economic and social functions, the fairs are playing an important role in the administration of the village system. The fairs in this region are the channels for the circulation of agricultural products, ideas and innovation and population mobility.

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Common Rituals of the fairs 1. People believe that the deity is capable of showering, on them. They, therefore, promise to offer to her with various motives and on fulfillment of their desires they make the offerings. The offerings generally comprise a sacrifice of a goat, offering of Sari and blouse to the Godess, feeding the people etc. 2. The persons, who have made vows (Navas) to offer certain offering to the deity such as gold and silver ornaments, dress, showering of rupee coins, tying of bells and photos, mirrors, handis, brass lamps etc in the temple auditorium to fulfil their vows by making the Offerings to the deity on this day. 3. The villagers arrange programs of folk – drama and wrestling bouts on this day for entertaining the pilgrims and visitors. 4. Swings, gaint wheels, singing , folk dramas, dances, etc are the main items of entertainment during the fair. 5. On the occasion of the fair, stalls of utensils, saris, blouse pieces and cloth, sweetmeats, bangles, groceries, flowers and garlands, Pan and bidis, hotels, potters, carpenters, cane workers, cocks and goats are opened at the fair. 6. Both Hindus and Muslims participate in the fair. 7. Following traditionalism is powerfully observed in this fair. 1. Offering oil to the deity 2. Offering of lemon to the deity 3. Presentation of various sound instruments in surrounding of the temple. 4. Vow to the deity. 5. Nailing the iron rod into the trees. 6. An offering in sacrifice of cock, goat, sheep etc. 7. Most of the people believe that deity is capable of showering, blessing on them.

3.4 NUMBERS OF VISITORS In tourism industry number of visitors or tourist plays an important role. The development of any tourist destination depends upon the flow of tourist. Solapur is having number of existing and potential tourist destinations such as Pandharpur, Akkalkot, Akluj and Solapur city having important tourist destinations, where lakhs of tourist‟s visits regularly.According to the final report 2011-2012 of tourism

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