Agri community marks its own Ganpati on Sakharchauth in Bhadrapada

Ganeshotsav usually brings to mind Bappa's arrival and immersion, but some communities and regions in Maharashtra keep their own local traditions tied to Ganpati. One of these is the Sakharchauth Ganpati of the Bhadrapada month, observed with special traditional importance among the Agri community living around Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Navi Mumbai.

The story of Sakharchauth Ganpati's origin is linked to Ganesh idol makers of Pen and surrounding areas. During the main Ganeshotsav, which falls on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, many idol makers, workshop owners and workers from the Agri community would be away from their villages selling or delivering idols. This meant it was not possible for them to install Ganpati at their own homes or take part in public celebrations on the main festival day. So after the main Ganeshotsav ended, that is after Anant Chaturdashi, on Sankashti Chaturthi of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month, known as Sakharchauth, these idol makers and workers began bringing Ganpati home and celebrating. This year, the Sakharchauth Ganpati falls on Sankashti Chaturthi, Tuesday, September 29, with immersion the next day, Wednesday, September 30.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Chaturthi of the Bhadrapada month. Sakharchauth Ganpati is observed as part of local traditions linked to the Chaturthi that follows. Some Agri families follow a tradition of installing or worshipping Ganpati on this day. Different beliefs tied to local dialect, customs and the offerings made are cited behind the name "Sakharchauth," so the tradition takes different forms depending on the village, family and local custom.

The history of the Agri community is tied to the coast, farming, salt pans and local village life. The Agri community living around Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Mumbai has preserved many of its old festival customs to this day. The Sakharchauth Ganpati is counted among these local religious traditions. In some Agri families, the Ganpati puja is performed according to the family's kul tradition and customs passed down from ancestors.

The Agri community's traditional food culture is also reflected in the festival's offerings. Homemade sweets, fruits and traditional items are offered as naivedya to the Sakharchauth Ganpati. However, the offerings are not necessarily the same in every home, varying with local availability and family tradition.

The Sakharchauth Ganpati is not merely a religious ritual but is tied to the Agri community's folk traditions, faith and cultural identity. Passing such practices, carried down through generations, to the new generation has been the work of elders in families and the community. Today, urbanisation has brought major changes to lifestyles, yet some Agri families in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad and surrounding areas continue to observe this local tradition with devotion. Devotion to Ganpati takes different forms across every part of Maharashtra, and the Agri community's Sakharchauth Ganpati is a glimpse of this diversity, preserving local traditions alongside the main Ganeshotsav.