Hi, User name

My profile

Logout

Hi, User name

My profile

Logout

Ahilya Gautam Mahotsav Banner Image

Ahilya Gautam Mahotsav: A Celebration of Faith, Heritage, and Justice

Ahilya Gautam Mahotsav Banner Image

Video Description

map

Nearest Airpot

Darbhanga Airport (DBR)

Nearest Airpot

Darbhanga Airport (DBR)

Ahilya Gautam Mahotsav.

Held at the holy village of Ahilya Asthan (Ahari), which is situated in the Jale block of Darbhanga district, the Ahilya Gautam Mahotsav, also called the Ahilya Mahotsav, is a major state-level celebration. This festival honors the rich spiritual and cultural legacy of the Mithila region and remembers the fabled release of Mata Ahilya. It is organized by the Department of Tourism, Bihar, in partnership with the District Administration, Darbhanga

 

Significance and Sacred Legend

 

The celebration is held at a location in the Ramayana Circuit that has great mythical significance: 

• The Legend of Redemption: The Ramayana states that Maharishi Gautam, Mata Ahilya's husband, has an ashram in the village. Ahilya was freed from a curse that had turned her into a stone when Lord Ram touched the stone with his foot while traveling to Janakpur. 

• A Sign of Justice: The festival celebrates the concepts of divine justice, patience, and redemption. 

• State Cultural Landmark: Acknowledged as an official state celebration, it provides a stage for showcasing Darbhanga's function as a hub for Mithila culture, art, and Sanskrit education.

Key Activities & Cultural Highlights

The Mahotsav turns the temple grounds into a thriving center of culture: 

• Grand Cultural Stage: Prominent national and local performers will perform at the event. Stars like Maithili Thakur have performed at recent festivities, elevating the rustic environment to a high level of prominence. 

• Mithila Folk Arts: Along with heartfelt performances of Vidyapati Geeta and other local folk songs, visitors can watch traditional dance styles including Jhijhiya and Domkach. 

• Religious Rituals: Since the location is a popular pilgrimage site during that time, the festival is commemorated with unique Pujas, Bhajans, and the vibrant Ram Navami celebrations. 

• Handicraft Exhibitions: One of the main attractions for travelers is the stalls that display the renowned Madhubani (Mithila) paintings and regional handloom goods

Ahilya Gautam Mahotsav

in.gov.incredibleindia.core.models.impl.ImageUtilModelImpl@900d72a

Essential Information

Ahilya-Gautam-Mahotsav-Side-Image
Location

Ahilya Asthan Temple grounds, Ahari village, Jale Block, Darbhanga

When

Commemorates Ram Navami every year, usually in March or April.

Source

Bihar Tourism

Explore more

festivals

Portrait of beautiful horse and mare at Sonepur cattle fair

03 Nov-04 Dec

Sonepur Cattle Fair: The largest cattle fair in Asia

Sonepur Cattle Fair is a mesmerising blend of spirituality, commerce, and culture.
Circa 2018. Oil candles, also called Deepams, are lighted on a rangoli design to celebrate the festival of Karthigai Deepam.

04 Dec

Karthigai Deepam: The Tamil festival of lights

An integral part of Tamil culture, the festival is said to ward off darkness, spreading prosperity and joy.
Hampi-Utsava-fes-state-city

13-15 Feb

Hampi Utsava: Unveiling the majesty of a proud heritage

A tribute of music, dance and celebration to the heritage of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Biju is one of the major festivals of the Chakma tribal community. This festival is celebrated on the last two days of the Bengali year and on New Year's Day.

14 Apr

Biju Festival: Embark on a cultural journey in Tripura

A colourful 3-day festival that marks the dawn of a new year for the Chakma community in Tripura.
Teej

15 Aug

Teej: Celebrating love, devotion, and monsoons

By means of holy rituals, vibrant colours as well as exciting festivals, Teej creates a sense of union, fondness and devotion in people's hearts, which are the most lasting values of spirituality, family and culture.
Close up top view of female hands tying colorful rakhi on her brother’s hand isolated on white background on Raksha Bandhan Festival

Upcoming: 28 Aug

Raksha Bandhan: Strengthening the bonds of sibling love

Celebrate the unbreakable bond of love and protection on Raksha Bandhan, where threads of affection tie hearts together.
India, Vrindavan, Dancing Krishna. Sculpture at Prem Mandir temple is maintained by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, an international non-profit, educational, spiritual, charitable trust.

Upcoming: 04 Sep

Janmashtami: Celebrate Lord Krishna's birth with joy and devotion!

A vibrant celebration honouring the birth of Lord Krishna, filled with colourful festivities and joyous rituals.
jal-jhulni

Upcoming: 22 Sep

Jal Jhulni Dol Gyaras Utsav

, Jal Jhulni Dol Gyaras Utsav holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. Celebrated with deep devotion, music, rituals, and colorful processions, this festival beautifully reflects the spiritual and cultural traditions associated with Lord Krishna. The Ekadashi that falls after the celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami is known as Dol Gyaras. According to tradition, on the eighteenth day after Lord Krishna’s birth, Mother Yashoda performed Jal Puja (Ghat Puja) for child Krishna. This sacred ritual of water worship became the foundation of the festival now celebrated as Dol Gyaras.
yemshe-1-fes-explore-more

05 Oct

Yemshe Festival: A harvest of culture, tradition, and unity

A festival of gratitude for a bountiful harvest and a glimpse into the rich culture of Pochuri tribe.
bathukamma-festival-exp-city-pop

11-19 Oct

Bathukamma: Telangana's enchanting floral festival

A joyous celebration of nature’s bounty with exotic flowers of the region.
vaishno-devi-jammu-1-fes-exp-city-pop.jpg

11-20 Oct

Vaishno Devi Festival: A divine sojourn in the Himalayas

Embark on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Festival, where faith meets blessings in the heart of the Himalayan mountains.
mysuru-dasara-1-regional-fes-explore

11-21 Oct

Mysuru Dasara: A symphony of grandeur and culture

A ten-day extravaganza in the enchanting city of Mysuru, celebrating the victory of good over evil.
kullu-dussehra-fes-city-pop

15 Oct

Kullu Dussehra: An enchanting celebration in the lap of the Himalayas

A charming fiesta where heritage and folklore come to life with a fascinating congregation of deities.
kaveri-sankramana-1-regional-fes-city-state

17 Oct

Kaveri Sankramana: Celebrating the miracle of Kaveri river's birth

A festival hailing the birth of the Kaveri at the mythical source of the river.
tawang-festival

27-31 Oct

Tawang Festival: Embrace the soul of Arunachal Pradesh

Discover the cultural treasures of Tawang amidst Himalayan beauty.
akhil-bhartiya-kalidas-samaroh-ujjain-2-eve-exp-city-pop

01 Nov-30 Dec

Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh: A tribute to literary giants

A week-long festival in Ujjain showcasing the best in literature, drama, music and classical arts.
kut-festival-lunglei-mizoram-1-regional-fes-city-state

01 Nov

Kut Festival: A joyous harvest celebration in the heart of Manipur

A grand celebration of cultural heritage and the bountiful blessings of nature.
People enjoying the beauty of sea and beach by the sea shore in different ways of their own. Puri, India, Asia, February 2020. PURI A renound city,beach resort in the beach of bay of Bengal, Odisa, India.

04-10 Nov

Puri Beach Festival: Where culture meets the sea

A five-day cultural splash by the sea in Puri, including art, music, dance, theatre, sports, and great food.
tokhu-emong-1-fes-explore-more

07-15 Nov

Tokhü Emong: A celebration of harvest and togetherness

A post-harvest festival of gratitude and camaraderie.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Kolkata, India. The presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali.

08 Nov

Kali Puja: A unique and spiritually enriching experience

An awe-inspiring festival celebrating the formidable Goddess Kali.

chhath-puja-bihar-1fes-exp-city-pop

13-16 Nov

Chhath Puja: A festival worshipping the Sun God

An ancient Vedic festival reflecting deep reverence for the Sun God
ferris wheel at night

20-24 Nov

Vautha Mela: An enchanting fair where tradition meets trade

A carnival beckoning you to immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty and heritage of the Great Rann of Kutch.
sangai-festival-fes-city-pop

21-30 Nov

Sangai Festival: A grand celebration of Manipur’s heritage

A ten-day extravaganza that immerses visitors into the art, music, craft, indigenous sports and cuisine of the region.
tulsi-vivah-fes-city-pop

21 Nov

Tulsi Vivah: A sacred festival of divine union

A sacred Hindu festival celebrating the symbolic marriage of the holy Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu, invoking blessings and prosperity.
raas-leela-majuli1-fes-exp-city-pop

24-26 Nov

Raas Leela: Art breathes life into Lord Krishna's legends

A festival where theatrical artistry breathes life into the timeless stories of Lord Krishna.
tansen-samaroh-gwalior-1-eve-exp-city-pop

01-30 Dec

Tansen Samaroh: A harmonious ode to music

A music fiesta paying homage to a legendary Hindustani classical music maestro.
Groundnut sold at the Kadalekai Parishe fair 2017 at Basavanagudi bull temple road

05-08 Dec

Kadalekai Parishe: A colourful harvest fair rooted in legend

An annual groundnut festival where farmers offer prayers to Lord Basava.
liberation-day-fes-city-pop

19 Dec

Liberation Day: A day of triumph and freedom

A day that commemorates the glorious victory that secured independence from 450 years of Portuguese rule.
riine-festival-1-fes-explore-more

27-31 Dec

Riine Festival: Celebrating abundance and togetherness

A festival of gratitude and celebration at Pfutsero Town in Nagaland, marking the end of a year of hard work.
sbm-jpg

Shahi Sawari Baba Baijnath Mahadev

Shahi Sawari Baba Baijnath Mahadev is one of the most vibrant and spiritually significant religious processions celebrated in Madhya Pradesh Agar Malwa district .
View all