Permissions, rules and practical steps for festivals and public celebrations in Mumbai: pandals, processions, loudspeakers, firecrackers, qurbani and more. See the calendar for upcoming dates and when to start preparing.
Festival by festival
- Chhath Puja in Mumbai: BMC Sites, Artificial Ponds, Permissions for Committees and SafetyLakhs of devotees offer arghya at Juhu, Banganga, lakes and artificial ponds during Chhath Puja.
- Makar Sankranti Kite Flying: Nylon Manja Ban, Rs 25,000 Fine and Rs 2.5 Lakh for Sellers in MaharashtraNylon or ‘Chinese’ manja kills and maims people and birds every Makar Sankranti.
- Holi in Mumbai: What the Law Allows, Water Balloons, Forced Colour, Harassment and Drink-DrivingHoli is a joyous festival, but in Mumbai it is also regulated: every year the police issue an order prohibiting water balloons and colour on passers-by, obscene songs…
- Dahi Handi Rules in Maharashtra: Minimum Age, Safety, Insurance and Organisers’ LiabilityDahi Handi has been through a long legal journey, from an 18-year age bar and 20-foot height cap in 2014 to today’s rules.
- Navratri Garba and Dandiya Events in Mumbai: Permissions, Loudspeaker Timings and Safety RulesNavratri garba and dandiya events in Mumbai need permissions that depend on where and how they are held.
- Ganeshotsav Pandal Permission in Mumbai: BMC Single Window, Police NOC, Loudspeakers and the RulesEvery public Ganesh mandal in Mumbai needs BMC permission for its pandal, with police and traffic NOCs, now obtained through an online single-window system.
- New Year and Christmas Parties in Mumbai: Liquor Permits, Event Licences, Music and Noise RulesMaharashtra is a liquor-permit State, so even private parties have legal requirements.
- Diwali Firecrackers in Mumbai: Timings, Green Crackers, Silence Zones and Licences for Cracker ShopsFirecrackers are not banned in Mumbai, but they are regulated: bursting is restricted to set hours, only permitted (green) crackers may be sold, silence zones are…
- Bakri Eid Qurbani in Mumbai: BMC Permission, Designated Spots, Society NOC and the RulesQurbani on Bakri Eid is lawful in Mumbai, but only within BMC’s religious slaughter policy.
Rules that apply to every festival
- Festivals in Housing Societies: Common Areas, Contributions, Noise and Disputes in MaharashtraGanpati in the compound, Navratri garba, Diwali, Eid, Christmas: societies celebrate many festivals, and disputes follow.
- Wedding Baraat, Band and DJ in Mumbai: Police Permission, the 10 pm Rule and Noise ComplaintsA baraat with a band or DJ on Mumbai’s roads needs police permission, and the noise rules apply to weddings like any other event.
- Religious Procession Permission in Mumbai: Eid-e-Milad, Muharram, Ram Navami, Shiv Jayanti and Ambedkar JayantiProcessions for Eid-e-Milad, Muharram, Ram Navami, Shiv Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti, Gudi Padwa shobha yatras and other occasions need police permission in Mumbai.
- Loudspeakers at Places of Worship in Maharashtra: Timings, Decibel Limits and the Bombay High Court’s 2025 RulingLoudspeakers at places of worship of every religion are governed by the same noise rules.
These guides give general information about the law and procedure in Maharashtra. They are not legal advice; what applies to you depends on your facts.