Celebrations Beyond the State: How Marathis Celebrate Maharashtra Day Across India!

On May 1, 1960, after a long and determined struggle, the state of Maharashtra was officially formed. Before that, the region was part of the larger Bombay State, which included both Marathi and Gujarati-speaking populations. Demands for a separate linguistic state grew stronger during the 1950s, led by the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement. After years of protests, sacrifices, and political negotiations, Maharashtra gained its distinct identity, a state for Marathi speakers with Mumbai (then Bombay) as its capital.

This historic achievement is why May 1 is celebrated as Maharashtra Day. It is a day of pride, remembrance, and cultural reaffirmation for millions of Maharashtrians, not just within the state but across India and around the world. From flag-hoisting ceremonies and parades to songs honouring the spirit of Maharashtra, the day is marked with vibrant traditions that continue to strengthen the bond between the people and their cultural roots.

Utsav, Abhiman, Ani Aathvan: The Spirit of Maharashtra Day

In Maharashtra, May 1 is not just a public holiday—it is a day filled with utsav (celebration), abhiman (pride), and aathvan (remembrance). Across cities and towns, the day begins with the ceremonial dhwaj-vandan (flag hoisting) at government offices, schools, and public squares. Streets come alive with prabhat pheris (early morning processions), where people, dressed in vibrant traditional attire, march to the beats of dhol-tasha and sing spirited songs like "Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza". Cultural programs showcase Lezhim performances, Powada recitations (ballads of valour), and Lavani dances that celebrate the rich artistic traditions of the state. Statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are adorned with garlands, and public speeches evoke a deep sense of samman (respect) for the sacrifices made by the leaders of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.

In places like Dombivli, as Renuka Sonawane, now based in Hyderabad, remembers, the streets, especially around Phadke Road, are packed with energy, with people proudly wearing nauvari sarees and phete (traditional head attire), while fun events like dhol performances and bullet rallies keep the spirit alive. For many, Maharashtra Day feels less like a formal occasion and more like a festival of belonging, a vibrant assertion of identity stitched into everyday life.

Isha Meshram, who grew up in Nagpur and is now based in Hyderabad, shares, "Being from Nagpur itself, which is a cultural melting pot, I have seen how beautifully Marathi culture blends with others. During festivals, we prepare Marathi snacks like poha, puran poli, and the famous Saoji chicken, which has even become a hit among non-Maharashtrians." She adds that this natural blending comes easily because "Nagpur, being geographically the centre of the country, naturally bridges cultures."

Rooted Yet Adaptable: How Marathis Carry Their Culture Across Borders

Maharashtrians have long been known for staying deeply rooted in their traditions while adapting gracefully to new cities and cultures. In places like Bengaluru, this blending happens almost naturally. As Poonam shares, celebrating Ganeshotsav there often takes on a “distinctly Maharashtrian style with Kannada influences,” and even everyday dishes evolve — “we mix local vegetables into puran poli or sabudana khichdi,” she notes, showing how culinary traditions adjust while still holding their Marathi soul.

In Miraj, Prem observes that cultural blending is more subtle but inevitable. “Mostly it’s the same during festivals and social gatherings,” he says, “but small blends happen naturally.” Even in cities where traditional practices remain strong, small shifts in music, language, or rituals mark the merging of old and new worlds.

Not everyone feels the blend, though. Chinmay, who comes from a rural background and now lives in Bangalore, honestly reflects that he hasn't experienced much cultural fusion yet. For him, holding onto traditions without dilution is a way of preserving identity.

Despite different experiences of cultural blending, traditional clothing remains a powerful anchor to their roots. Prem recalls the excitement around wearing kurta–dhoti or seeing girls don nauvari sarees and pheta during festivals, saying it creates a “feel-good factor reserved for special times.” For Poonam too, dressing traditionally during Maharashtra Day or Ganesh Chaturthi makes the celebrations “feel rooted and authentic,” and often sparks admiration from others. Chinmay adds that while he hasn’t worn traditional outfits in a long time, “elderly ladies and men in the house still proudly wear them during important occasions.”

Whether blending gently into local cultures or standing tall in traditional attire, Maharashtrians carry an innate samaveshak shakti, an inclusive strength that lets them honour their heritage no matter where life takes them.

Bhasha Mazya Asmita Chi: Keeping Marathi Alive Across Cities

Language is one of the strongest anchors of identity for Maharashtrians, and on Maharashtra Day, its presence is felt even more powerfully. Across celebrations, there is an unspoken understanding that Marathi must lead in songs, speeches, and performances. For many, this isn't a forced decision but something that happens naturally. As Prem puts it, there is no conscious effort needed because "the environment around you is such that Marathi is the only language you speak at that point without even realising it."

Poonam, celebrating in Bengaluru, admits it requires a little more intention when children grow up in non-Marathi settings, but events like Maharashtra Day help reinforce it. She mentions how her community even runs weekend Marathi classes, creating a playful space for kids to enjoy learning their mother tongue and keeping its spirit alive beyond textbooks and ceremonies.

In rural communities, too, language remains deeply rooted. Chinmay, who shifted to Bangalore from a small village, observes that "functions are held entirely in Marathi," and surprisingly, "it has never been an issue to maintain the language among the newer generation," perhaps because of the strong rural grounding where Marathi is woven into everyday life.

For Maharashtrians living outside their home state, the Marathi language becomes more than communication it becomes asmita (self-pride), a thread that quietly connects generations across different lands, ensuring that no matter where they go, the rhythms of their native tongue continue to echo through dhol beats, lavani lyrics, and simple everyday conversations.

The Spirit that Travels

For many Maharashtrians living away from their native towns and cities, the idea of asmita—self-respect, dignity, and pride—evolves into something even deeper. While some, like Chinmay, admit they haven't reflected much on asmita in their day-to-day lives, others, like Poonam, feel that it takes on a stronger meaning outside Maharashtra. She believes it’s not just about remembering the past, but about carrying forward the spirit of Maharashtra with dignity in new places. Traditional practices, whether it's donning a nauvari saree during a Ganesh festival or participating in a Dhol-Tasha rally, become more than festive acts—they become gestures of memory, pride, and belonging.

For Isha, wearing traditional attire is just as important. "I love wearing my traditional Maharashtrian attire like the nauvari saree and pheta, especially because that is something of ours—a pride," she says, reflecting on how dressing traditionally even for weddings, school functions, and Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations has become a way of "wearing our identity."

As Prem shares, wearing traditional outfits during special occasions brings out a reserved kind of joy, a "feel-good factor" that reminds people of their roots even amidst modern life. It’s these small but powerful moments, tying a pheta, speaking Marathi without hesitation, sharing homemade puran poli — that preserve Maharashtra's legacy across states, cities, and even continents.

Wherever they may be, be it the narrow lanes of Miraj, the cosmopolitan streets of Bengaluru, or the growing Marathi communities in Hyderabad, Maharashtrians continue to carry a piece of their homeland with them. Maharashtra Day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a living testament to a spirit that transcends geography, a celebration of belonging, pride, and unwavering cultural identity that refuses to fade.