The Haldi festival
Pattan Kodoli, Kolhapur.
Shri Vittal Birdev festival is celebrates to commemorate the birth anniversary of Vitthal Birdev Maharaj, who is considered to be a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Birdev is also the family deity of the Dhangar, a shepherd community that resides in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. The annual fair and festival attracts thousands of devotees, where the festive mood is set with people throwing haldi or turmeric powder over Sri Keloba Rajabau Waghmode, known as the ‘Baba’ who sits under a Banyan tree. The baba is considered as the messenger of god, and people seek his blessings for a healthy life. He’s revered for his ability to foretell his predictions about farming, rain and future conditions of the country which is helpful to the people of the community.
