Nagpur Marbat Festival 2026 Officially Begins — Procession on September 11 and Entry Is Completely Free
Marbat Festival Nagpur: Nagpur’s most unique and beloved cultural tradition has officially begun. Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Adv Ashish Shelar performed the ceremonial pooja of the revered Kali Marbat and Pili Marbat on Sunday, marking the official launch of the 145-year-old Marbat Festival 2026. Furthermore, the main Marbat procession will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Most importantly — the procession is completely free to attend. Furthermore, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare clarified that there is zero ticketing for the Marbat procession itself. As a result, every Nagpur resident and visitor can participate without paying anything.
The Official Launch — Who Was Present and What Was Said
Sunday’s ceremonial pooja at the Kali and Pili Marbat marked the formal beginning of the festival season. Furthermore, the launch was attended by senior political, civic and police leadership.
Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Adv Ashish Shelar led the ceremony. Furthermore, Mayor Neeta Thakre, Police Commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil and Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar were also present. Later, Mayor Thakre, CP Nangre Patil and Commissioner Itankar jointly inspected the procession route from Nehru Putla Chowk to Pili Marbat Chowk. As a result, the city’s top leadership has directly assessed the route and is personally overseeing preparations.
Minister Shelar spoke about the festival’s deeper meaning. He said Marbat represents the collective resolve to drive away social evils, diseases and negative forces. Furthermore, he invoked the traditional chant that defines the festival — “Ida, pida gheun ja ge Marbat” — which translates as “Take away all our troubles and afflictions, O Marbat.” Moreover, he reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to preserving Maharashtra’s participatory cultural traditions.
Mayor Thakre added that the festival symbolises positive transformation. Furthermore, she said it reflects Nagpur’s spirit of progress through coordinated efforts by civic authorities and the community. Therefore, Marbat is not just a cultural event — it is a statement of collective civic identity.
Important Clarification — The Procession Is FREE
There has been confusion on social media about tickets for Marbat 2026 (Marbat Festival Nagpur). Furthermore, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Wakhare addressed this directly at Sunday’s launch.
The admission to the Marbat procession on September 11 is completely free. There is zero ticketing for the procession. Moreover, Dani-Wakhare clarified that the official commemorative T-shirts and wristbands are strictly optional merchandise — they are not entry tickets. As a result, nobody is required to buy a T-shirt or wristband to attend the procession.
Furthermore, citizens are urged to rely only on NMC’s official channels for information — not social media rumours. Therefore, if you see any social media post claiming that you need to buy tickets to attend the Marbat procession on September 11, that information is incorrect.
The BookMyShow tickets that Nagpur Updates reported on earlier this week are for a separate, organised experience at Gandhi Putla — an optional ticketed event with a Heritage Walk. However, the main 10-kilometre Marbat procession through the lanes of Itwari and East Nagpur is free for everyone.
What Happens on September 11 — The Full Programme
The main Marbat (Marbat Festival Nagpur) procession will take place on Friday, September 11, 2026. Furthermore, it will follow the traditional 10-kilometre route through the lanes of Itwari and East Nagpur.
The procession features the two iconic Marbat effigies — the Kali Marbat (Black Marbat) and the Pili Marbat (Yellow Marbat). Moreover, the smaller Badgya effigies will also be part of the procession. These effigies are accompanied by traditional music, drumbeats and thousands of enthusiastic participants chanting “Ida, pida gheun ja ge Marbat.”
At the culmination of the procession, the effigies are ritually burned — symbolically destroying social evils, diseases and negativity from the community. Furthermore, this year’s Badgyas are expected to reflect current social and political themes — as they do every year. As a result, the procession serves as both a cultural celebration and a form of community social commentary.
The History Behind the Procession — Why Kali and Pili Marbat Exist
Understanding the history of Marbat makes the September 11 procession far more meaningful. Furthermore, this 145-year-old tradition has a specific origin story rooted in Nagpur’s colonial history.
The Kali Marbat — the black effigy — is believed to represent Bhonsle queen Bankabai, who surrendered to British power. Moreover, this effigy became a way for ordinary Nagpur residents to express their anger at that act of surrender. As a result, the black effigy carries a spirit of civic resistance from the very beginning.
The Pili Marbat — the yellow effigy — is believed to represent British colonial rule and also epidemics and disease. Furthermore, the festival began as a community response to cholera and plague epidemics that ravaged Nagpur in the late 19th century. The burning of the effigies was a symbolic act of driving away the disease. Therefore, Marbat is also a festival of public health and collective resilience — not just a religious or cultural tradition.
Every year, the Badgya effigies — the smaller mascots in the procession — address the specific social issues of that year. Moreover, alcoholism, rising prices, corruption and other contemporary problems have all featured on Badgyas over the years. As a result, Marbat remains genuinely relevant and connected to present-day Nagpur — not just a historical re-enactment.
NMC’s Rs 2 Crore Investment — What Changes This Year
As Nagpur Updates reported earlier, NMC has allocated Rs 2 crore for Marbat-Badgya 2026 — the first time the civic body has made such a major financial provision for the festival.
The investment is visible on the ground. Furthermore, NMC has formed a special coordination committee to manage preparations. The procession route from Nehru Putla Chowk to Pili Marbat Chowk is being cleaned, with potholes being filled and hanging electrical wires being removed. Moreover, stages, welcome gates and drinking water arrangements are being put in place along the route.
In addition, NMC is promoting the festival at national and international level this year. Furthermore, nationally renowned personalities have been invited to attend. As a result, Marbat 2026 is being positioned as a cultural tourism event — not just a local celebration.
How to Get to the Procession on September 11
The Marbat procession routes pass through Itwari and East Nagpur — among the most densely populated areas of the city. Furthermore, expect extremely large crowds on September 11.
The procession starts in the Itwari area. Therefore, commuters should plan alternate routes for September 11 as road diversions are expected. Furthermore, Nagpur Traffic Police will publish a detailed traffic advisory before the procession day — Nagpur Updates will share that advisory as soon as it is released.
Arrive early if you want a good viewing spot along the procession route. Moreover, the procession moves through narrow lanes, so getting positioned early makes a significant difference. Furthermore, if you are using public transport, auto-rickshaws to the Itwari area are the most convenient option.
The ticketed BookMyShow event at Gandhi Putla starts at 12:30 PM for those who have booked the Executive or Heritage Walk tickets. However, the main procession itself is free — and it is the heart of the Marbat experience.
