Part 1.3 - Religious Festivals

During the age of Bhavabhūti, people enjoyed some seasonal festivals. Seasonal festivals are celebrated particularly in spring season. It was also found that the plays of Bhavabhūti were staged on some festive occasion. The plays of Bhavabhūti were staged at the annual fair of deity named Kālapriyanātha. The deity was identified with the patron deity of Ujjayani, Mahākāla.^[1]

Kālapriyanātha was the epithet of sun god whose temple was located at kalpi on the bank of the river Yamuna.The Mālatīmādhava was also staged on the occasion of the festival of famous Kālapriyanātha. The word Kālapriyanātha means the guardian deity of Kālapriya^..^[2] It was revealed in the beginning of the Mālatīmādhava by Sūtradhāra that the Mālatīmādhava which is written by Bhavabhūti is going to be staged before the divine Kālapriyanātha.^[3]

Again, there is a description of Madanamahotsava which was also an important festival of those days. This festival was celebrated in honour of the deity Madana. According to Williams, this festival is celebrated on the full-moon day of the month of Caitra.^[4] In the 1^st act it is known from Avalokitā that Kāmandakī had sent Mādhava to the Makaranda garden, where the festival in honour of the deity Madana had commenced.^[5] Thus, during Bhavabhūti’s time there celebrated vivid festivals in honour of various gods.