In Maharashtra, Goa and parts of the Konkan region, Gudi Padwa is the main festival celebrating the Marathi New Year. Falling in March or April on the first day of Chaitra in the lunar calendar, this day ushers in the Indian New Year and the spring season. This festival, marked by joyful celebrations, rituals and cultural traditions, represents the hope of a prosperous and victorious new beginning.
This auspicious day is believed to be perfect for launching new ventures, making investments and seeking blessings for success and prosperity.
The Creation of the Universe by Lord Brahma
Gudi Padwa celebrates creation and new beginnings as it is the day Lord Brahma created the universe, according to Hindu mythology. The festival signifies a time for positive change and personal development.
Gudi Padwa also celebrates Lord Rama’s triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. A Gudi, a festive flag adorned with silk, mango leaves and an inverted pot, is hoisted outside homes to celebrate the victory and symbolise success, prosperity and blessings from above.
The Harvest Festival and the Arrival of Spring
The festival celebrates the end of the Rabi harvest, a significant moment for farmers. This is a season of gratitude for nature's bounty and optimistic expectations for the upcoming harvest.
How Gudi Padwa is celebrated
The ceremonial oil bath known as Abhyangasnanam is believed to cleanse the body and soul, encouraging an early start for many. Rangoli and fresh flowers decorate homes, welcoming prosperity. To celebrate, families hoist a Gudi—a festive flag adorned with silk, neem leaves, and an upside-down copper pot—outside their homes, signifying triumph, good fortune, and divine blessings. People believe that the Gudi wards off bad energies and blesses the home with prosperity.
Worshippers offer prayers to Vishnu and Rama, hoping for blessings of happiness and success. Puran Poli and Shrikhand sweets, along with the unique Neem-Jaggery chutney, represent the mix of sweet and sour in life, prepared by families for their celebrations.
Processions, music and dancing are the highlight, with many people wearing new clothes. It is a lucky day for new business ventures, both large and small. This festival reminds us that with faith, resilience and gratitude, every new beginning leads to prosperity and joy.
Traditions of Gudi Padwa
The Gudi
It is customary to erect a Gudhi flag, which consists of a silk banner, usually yellow or red, decorated with a garland of flowers and having an upturned pot at its top, symbolizing victory. It is attached to windows, rooftops, and trees and is considered a lucky charm that wards off the devil and brings prosperity.
The Rangoli
The ground at the foot of the Gudhi is decorated with a Rangoli which is one of the most popular forms of decoration in Hindu festivals. The Rangoli is an often very elaborate design, created on the ground with colored powders, flowers and petals. There are no special motifs for the rangoli of Gudi Padwa, which leaves room for all sorts of combinations of traditional motifs like fish, elephants, birds and men with religious symbols, kalash, swatiska, om, mangal.
Everything is clean
As is customary, everyone visits family and close friends, does some spring cleaning, and dresses up in new clothes. Women don their finest saris, and men don traditional orange turbans. As with any Indian festival, special dishes are prepared and enjoyed, especially sweets like Sakkar Bhaat, sweet rice.
Have a nice day.