Bagad Yatra of Bavdhan

Bagad Yatra is attended by pilgrims from all over Maharashtra and is held every year at Bavadhan in Waai Taluka of Satara district. Bhairavnath Bagad Yatra is annually observed on Phalgun Krishna Paksha Panchami or the fifth day during the waning phase of moon in Phalgun month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra The festival is noted for devotees hanging from a hook from a high post. The person who agrees to dangle from the hook performs a fast for 5 days. He stays in a temple and on the Bagad day eats only Neem leaves and does not drink a single drop of water. The Bagad ritual has a history for more than 800 years. Only the person who fulfills this requirement is chosen as a Bagad. It is customary to use only Khillar bullocks for the Bagad Yatra. Bagad  (Chariot of God) which is used in Yatra at Bavadhan weighs about 2 to 3 tons. Bagad (Chariot of God)  has stone wheels with spokes on them, poles on tigers and sheaves on poles. The carpenter community of Bavdhan village makes this bagad. "Bagad cart" is made entirely from acacia wood. "Aladandi '' of Bagad is made of sandalwood. This annual agrarian festival attracts hundreds of devotees.