Record Crowd at Jotiba Dongar Third Kheti Festival in Kolhapur as Devotees Celebrate With Gulal

Thousands of devotees attended the Third Kheti festival at Jyotiba Dongar in Kolhapur, participating in vibrant gulal celebrations and offering naivedya, marking a record turnout this year

Kolhapur|February 23, 2026: Thousands of devotees gathered at Shri Kshetra Jyotiba Dongar in Panhala taluka, Kolhapur, to celebrate the Third Kheti festival, marking a record turnout this year. The festival, held on February 22, saw devotees throng the temple premises to offer naivedya (ritual food offerings) to the priests and participate in traditional celebrations. Many devotees arrived early in the morning to ensure their offerings, taking advantage of auspicious days before the following Sunday.

The highlight of the festival was the vibrant gulal celebration, with devotees covering themselves and the temple surroundings in colors, creating a visually striking devotional atmosphere. Chanting “Jotibacha Navan Changbhal,” devotees expressed their reverence while actively participating in rituals on the hill. Despite the hot weather, the temple area was filled with enthusiastic pilgrims from Kolhapur and nearby regions, reflecting the growing popularity of the festival.

Authorities implemented strict police arrangements to manage the crowd and maintain order throughout the day. Traffic was regulated in and around the temple area, and volunteers helped ensure that devotees could perform rituals safely. Temple officials noted that the Third Kheti festival this year exceeded previous attendance records, demonstrating the strong cultural and religious significance of Jyotiba Dongar for the local community.

The festival also included organized distribution of prasad (sacred food), further facilitating the large number of attendees. Devotees expressed satisfaction at the smooth management and the opportunity to participate in traditional customs. The combination of devotional fervor, vibrant colors, and disciplined crowd management made the event a notable success, emphasizing Jyotiba Dongar’s role as a major religious and cultural hub in Kolhapur district.

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