Mumbai, October 2026 : Village fairs and festivals celebrated across Maharashtra are not merely religious or recreational events but vital pillars of the state’s rich cultural heritage, social unity and rural economy, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar said.
He emphasised that rural communities draw cultural strength from their local deities, folk arts, dance, music, traditions and collective participation. While preserving these customs, it is equally important to promote the overall development of villages and strengthen modern systems, he added.
Shelar was speaking at the launch of three publications from the State Gazetteer series, brought out by the Darshanika Division of the Maharashtra Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs. The books — Fairs and Festivals: Konkan Division, Fairs and Festivals: Western Maharashtra and Vedic Hydrology — were released by the minister.
Shelar said village fairs and festivals form an inseparable part of a community’s cultural identity. These events help pass traditional arts, dance, music and different aspects of rural life on to future generations.
Such gatherings bring villagers together, strengthen social bonds and foster a spirit of collective participation. Documenting and studying these traditions would help preserve Maharashtra’s cultural heritage more effectively, he noted.
The minister also highlighted the economic significance of village fairs and festivals, stating that their importance extends beyond faith and tradition. These events create employment and livelihood opportunities for local artists, artisans, small business owners and service providers, thereby supporting the rural economy.
He stressed the need to conserve these traditions while encouraging local art forms and handicrafts. Promoting traditional cultural activities, he said, was essential to ensuring their continued relevance.
The newly released books compile information about fairs, festivals and cultural traditions across different regions of Maharashtra. They are expected to serve as valuable resources for researchers, scholars, students and professionals working in the cultural sector.
The publications are particularly significant in documenting the state’s cultural wealth and making it accessible to future generations.
Among those present at the event were Dr Sayali Pimple, Executive Editor and Secretary of the Darshanika Division; research writers Dr Anita Rane, Dr Suvarna Chavare, Dr Balsekar and Dr Prachi Moghe; and Sachin Nimbalkar, Secretary of the Maharashtra State Sahitya Akademi, along with other officials, scholars and invitees.
