Annual Festivals in Morgaon

Bhadrapada Suddha Chaturthi and Magha Chaturthi (Ganesh Jayanthi) in Morgaon:

Both the festivals are celebrated in a similar way. Dvara yatra is the important program in the yatra. The Dvara yatra starts from the 1st day of Bhadrapada. Starting from the 1st day to the 4th day, the deities Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, present in the boundaries of the kshetra are worshipped (one deity, one day). Fast is observed in these days and ends on the 5th day of Dvara yatra. On the 5th day, Abhisheka, Naivedya, food to Brahmin – Suvasini, Annasantarpana is done. This Dvara yatra of Bhadrapada and Magha can be attended by walk or any means of transport. If this is not possible, the Dvara yatra can be performed with the help of a Brahmin. Dvara yatra has a great importance.

In the yatra period, Alankar (ornaments) pooja is performed from 1st to 3rd day in the evening. Mayurashwara is adorned with various ornaments made up of gold, diamonds, gems etc and fine clothes present in the treasury. This is known as Poshakh. This poshakh is different on all days. These ornaments are donated by Kings, landlords and many other devotees. After the decoration the idol of Mayureshwara looks very beautiful. This pooja is not performed on Ganesh Jayanthi. From the 1st to 4th day Keertan is performed in front of the Lord in the evening. Later a musical procession begins with Mayurashwara in palanquin along the circumambulation track. This procession lasts for 2 hours. This is called Chabina. Children perform dance with sticks (dandiya), people sing bhajans, drums are beaten and whole track is lit with lamps. Then the naivedya is offered, mantrapushpa is performed. Then Shri Moraya Gosavi’s padas are sung and Panchapadi is also sung. After the Panchapadi all the ornaments and holy clothes are removed and put in the treasury. Shej aarti is performed and god is put to sleep. This is the routine of pooja in the yatra period.

The important program of this yatra is the yatra (procession) which comes from Chinchwad to Morgaon. Pleased with the penance of Mahasadhu Shri Moraya Gosavi, Shri Ganesha manifested before him and presented a saffron pebble as his form. This pebble was installed in Chinchwad and it was taken to Morgaon on every Bhadrapada and Magha months in a procession by Shri Moraya Gosavi. In the Bhadrapada and Magha months devotees start from Chinchwad on the 1st day and via Pune- Saswad- Jejuri reach Morgaon on the 3rd day night. The yatra is accompanied by the descendent of Shri Moraya Gosavi, he is the chief of the yatra.

On the 4th day Mangalamurti heads off to Ganeshkund for bath in the palanquin. Devotees follow the palkhi and take holy dip. This day (afternoon) is regarded as the birth period of Shri Ganesha. This period is considered as (parva kaal) divine period. This time Maharaj himself performs the Mahapooja and Mahabhisheka as instructed by Brahmins. Later the idol of Mangalamurti along with Siddhi Buddhi meet Mayureshwara of Morgaon and Mahaprasada is offered to both of them. Darshan of both the murthis (idol) is the best moment of this yatra. To witness this, devotees come from distant places. Devotees take darshan of both murthis placed at one place and feel blessed. Later Mangalamurthi is placed in his position. Dakshina is given to Brahmin and Annadana takes place. That night after the Chabina procession the palkhi of Mangalamurti is taken to the temple of Nagnabhairava and here Mangalamurti is wedded to Trigunatmika Maya singing the ritualistic Mangalastaka. Then there is Abhayanga Snana of the Lord and Sindoor (vermilion) is applied. This form of Ganesha is witnessed by the devotees and they experience the bliss of Samadhi. Then the Maharaj of Chinchwad sings the padas of Sri Moraya Gosavi along with the devotees in the mandap (hall). This program lasts for 3 hours. These padas are immersed in the Bhakti Rasa and they are very soothing to hear. After the distribution of prasada the program concludes.

On the 5th day Mangalamurti is adorned and placed on the left side of the temple. Padas are sung. Padas like Khelaya, Bal santosh, Jogwa etc are prominently sung. Gulal is thrown on the devotees and dance (with sticks) is performed. Devotees of all age groups participate in this program. This program is delightful and worth watching. In the Magha month on Chaturthi Mangalamurti is placed in the mandap and padas are sung there. Dance is also performed. After this program the uttarardha (last stage) of the festival begins. The Mangalamurti is brought to the Chinchwad Deosthan Wada situated at the foot of the hill. Pooja and naivedya is offered there and annadana takes place. In addition to that, on the 5th day, of Bhadrapada and Magha month, food is served in Pavali by the Devasthana. On the 6th day the residents of the village organize the Mahaprasada in the temple.

After the 3 day festival, on the 6th day Mangalamurti of Chinchwad sets off to Chinchwad after a pooja and naivedya.

Dusshera (Vijayadashami):

The program of Mayureshwara’s Simmollanghan on Vijayadashmi is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Different types of fireworks are displayed then. This is the specialty of the program. On Dusshera, Morgaon wakes up to the shot from the cannon. In the morning Abhyanga Snana and Shodashopachara Pooja are performed. Then aarti is performed playing many musical instruments. Fireworks are displayed in front of god; people enthusiastically participate in lighting the fireworks. All the villagers assemble on the ground in front of Ganesha for a meeting. At this time wheat and rice (grains) are distributed among people as prasad. The problems, queries, arguments are discussed and resolved.

Around 9 P.M. the palkhi (palanquin) of Mayureshwara sets off for Simmolanghan and Nagar pradakshina. The palkhi is accompanied with flags, torans, royal umbrellas, mashals, divtees, various musical instruments etc. Fireworks are displayed all night. When the palkhi reaches the main door of the temple, canon shoots off fireballs in air and the procession begins. It heads off to Pavali from the market place. In Pavali, under the Shami tree all the ornaments of the idol are taken off and are given to the trustees. Then the palkhi gets prepared to play various games. Different types of games are played. Later the palanquin reaches the temple of Phirangaee Devi. Gondhal is performed there by the Gondhalis. Then the palkhi moves towards East; to the temples of Buddhi Devi and Tukai devi. It then goes to the temple of Shri Madhyameshwara Mahadev temple. Resting for a while there, the aarti is performed of the gods Hanuman, Sri Bhairava, Shri Kalikadevi and Madhyameshwara. The palkhi then halts in the ground nearby again to play games. In the early hours the following day the palkhi reaches the Soneshwara temple in the South. There pooja of Apati leaves is performed and these are distributed to the dignitaries. Later the names of the dignitaries are read serially. At this time cannon balls are shot. Then the palkhi comes near the riverside wood. Here all the ornaments are once again put upon. And the palkhi returns to the temple in the morning. Aarti and Dhoopaarti are offered and the program concludes. This is an important program of Morgaon. This program is attended by all the residents of the village though they stay far away now or have any problems.