Mumbai (Bombay) City Guide - Special Events

India, with its many religions, has a multitude of religious festivals. The two most important in Mumbai are both Hindu - Ganesh and Diwali.

Mumbai International Film Festival
Every even year in February
Screenings of over 100 films from over 40 countries. The festival focuses on documentary, short and animation films.
In cinemas throughout the city
Website: www.miffindia.in

Holi
The day after the full moon in early March
Hindu festival of harvest and fertility. People run through the streets bombarding each other and stray tourists with brightly coloured powder and water.
Throughout the city
Website: www.holifestival.org

Independence Day
15 August
National holiday to celebrate Indian independence.
Throughout the city

Ganesh
August/September
Hindu festival. Ganesh is the god of wisdom and prosperity and his festival is celebrated with particular enthusiasm in Mumbai. Its climax is colourful and noisy and involves many tens of thousands of people converging to immerse themselves and their images of Ganesh (which resemble an elephant) into the sea. It is an unforgettable experience.
Climaxes on Chowpatty Beach

Navratri
Early October
A nine day Hindu festival of worship and dance.
Throughout the city

Diwali (Festival of Light)
October/November
The most pan-Indian of Hindu festivals (coinciding with the onset of the Hindu and Jain new year) symbolises the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness by commemorating Lord Rama's return to his kingdom, Ayodhya, after his 14-year exile.
Throughout India
Website: www.diwalifestival.org