Bhondla

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Cultural & TraditionalMaharashtra
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsBhondla stands out among Indian folk
Language["hi"]Currency: INR
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Bhondla in Maharashtra

Bhondla is a traditional women's folk festival observed across Maharashtra, India, from the start of Shardiya Navratri through Kojagiri Purnima, also known as Hadga in western Maharashtra and Konkan or Bhulabai in Vidarbha and Khandesh. Women in ethnic sarees dance in circles around a chalk drawing or clay elephant figure, singing traditional songs that grow in number from one on the first day to sixteen by the final day.

In villages and, increasingly, city neighborhoods across Maharashtra, a quieter kind of festival unfolds each year in the weeks between Shardiya Navratri and Kojagiri Purnima.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Bhondla stands out among Indian folk traditions for its cumulative song format: the number of songs sung grows daily, from one on the first day to sixteen by the ritual's final day, spanning the period between Shardiya Navratri and Kojagiri Purnima

02

The mystery stays covered

The ritual centers on a circle dance around a chalk drawing or clay figure of an elephant, known as hadga, performed by married and unmarried women in ethnic sarees

03

The city starts moving

Regional names shift across Maharashtra: Hadga in the west and Konkan, Bhulabai in Vidarbha and Khandesh

04

The water draws everyone in

Some songs playfully tease mothers-in-law, and while strongest in rural Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Khandesh, migrant communities have carried the practice into cities, even as it is described as fading

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

known regionally as Hadga or Bhulabai

Water and renewal

Living ritual

is a women's folk ritual tied to the period between Shardiya Navratri and Kojagiri Purnima

The sacred route

Living ritual

symbolizing prosperity

The local code

Living ritual

good harvests

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and family well-being

Tradition 6

Living ritual

it is considered a fading but still-practiced tradition

Tradition 7

Living ritual

strongest today in rural Vidarbha

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and Khandesh

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Traditional ethnic sarees are customary for participants; comfortable footwear that can be removed easily suits the indoor or courtyard setting.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["hi"] · INR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map19.57 N, 76.42 EOpen in Google Maps

Maharashtra, India

TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Maharashtra via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Maharashtra, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearTraditional ethnic sarees are customary for participants; comfortable footwear that can be removed easily suits the indoor or courtyard setting.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for India and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Bhondla?

Bhondla is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Bhondla take place?

The festival is listed in Maharashtra, India. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Maharashtra, India

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmaharashtratourism.gov.in
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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