ShriNathShashti is celebrated as the Shri Eknath Maharaj Jayanti in Maharashtra and outside Maharashtra, especially in Paithan. Six to seven lakh devotees attend this ceremony. The Wari of the NathSampraday is the second greatest Wari of the Warkari Community. After the Ashadhi Wari of Pandharpur, the Warkaris bring in big numbers for this Wari. From different places around 475 Dindis do come with chanting “Bharudas-Eknathi” and because of this the area experiences the jubilant spirit.

This festival is celebrated on the Falgun Vadya Shashti, Saptami and Ashtami (around the month of March). On Dwadashi, the Palkhi of the Rangnath (the Palkhi) begins in the NivruttiNath of the town. From Dattajya to Panchratna, the Punyatithi (celebration) of Nath Charitra written by Shri Keshavswami is scheduled. On the day of Punyatithi, the dignitaries are invited to the festival.

Shashti- Mahashashti is performed on the idol of Shriyei Panduranga at 2 am on the sixth day. The first Dindi (procession) of the descendants of Nath (Nath Sampradaya) departs around at 12:00 noon from the Temple of the town to ShriEknathSamadhi temple. Warkari and historical kirtans are performed in the temple on behalf of the Shashti. After returning to the temple, bhajans of the form of Bharudas are performed. The disciples then come for the ceremony to darshan of Eknath Maharaj’s Prakatidivas (appearance day) and rest at the temple to seek Eknath for the Prakatidivas.

Saptami- On the seventh day, at 12 o’clock in the night, a procession of the Palkhi of Nath is taken out from the village. This is known as Chitribes. When the Palkhi arrives in the Warkari Dwar (assembly ground), Aarati and processions are held in the Bharat Bhavan. Bhajans are presented from the Prabhat shrines in the temple of the town. Bhajan and Kirtanas are organized in the (groups) of the Warkari. Crowds of Devotees go dither to listen to kirtan in the desert.

Asthami- On the day of Ashtami, around 4 pm, Kala Dindi leaves from the Nath Mandir. At the steps of the Udasin Matha pavalya (steps) are played. A community of thousands is present to capture/witness this scene. After reaching the Samadhi temple, hundreds of devotees get engrossed in playing the steps (pavalya) with the Talmrudunga on the ground in front of the temple. Very big laddu of jaggery and Lahya are attractively placed high next to the temple.

In the centre of it hangs a pot full of Kala. At sunset, in the chanting of 'Dattatraya Janardan Shri Eknath', the pot is broken by the descendants of the Nath with the help of a stick. Devotees flock to get prasad. After the Abhang, Gaulani and Aarti of the tradition, kala (prasad) is distributed in the desert of Godavari. During these three days, thousands of Warakaris of the Phada of the Shri Eknath Maharaj Paithankar participate in Dindi. Besides, other devotees also enjoy the ceremony in their own way. At present the number of devotees coming for the ceremony at Paithan is increasing day by day and the number of devotees coming from Marathwada, Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Khandesh etc. is increasing. Like this, the devotees from Kokan, Mumbai, Karnatak and other places are willing to come in Didis. Thus, there is a new influx (arrival) of Warakaris here. The Nathashthi festival has also become a subject of attraction for foreigners and many foreign tourists come to Paithan to witness the festival.

History of the festival - As five incidents took place on Fa. V. 06 , they are called Panchparvashreni. Nath himself used to celebrate this day as the birthday and death anniversary of his Guru. Later, Natha also took Jalasamadhi on the same day and thus, this day is being celebrated as Shri Eknath Shasthi

The Panchaparva -

1)The birthday of Shri Janardanaswami, the Guru of Shri Nath2)he Darshana and Anugraha of Datta to Swami 3)The first Darshana and Anugraha of Swami to Nath 4)The Punyatithi of Shri Janardanswami 5) Shri EknathMaharaj Jalasamadhi