Thousands of pilgrims devoted to Khandoba are celebrating the festival with turmeric powder during the day of Somvati Amavasya (Somvati Amavasya signifies a no moon day that falls on the Monday of any month in Hindu calendar) on 23rd January 2012 in a small city called Jejuri, which is in the Maharashtra State, India.
During the festival, turmeric powder (haldi) is offered to the Lord Khandoba.
Lord Khandoba is a popular regional deity worshipped as an avatar of Lord Shiva. He is considered the patron deity of castes whose occupations involve war, farming, hunting and animal husbandry. He is represented by a Lingam and in images he is seen riding a bull or a horse. Considered a secular deity, his followers include Muslim devotees and people from various castes. The folk deity is considered an amalgamation of Lord Shiva, sun god Surya and Lord Kartik as he shares similar attributes. The lord is believed to be covered in turmeric and is hence showered with turmeric (representing gold which Khandoba bestows) during processions. He is believed to have several wives from various communities and is considered a fertility god.
