Gudi Padwa is a new year day for people of the Maharastra and the Konkan region. It is often called Samvatsar Padvo, and is observed on the first day of Chaitra month.
Gudi Padwa is an auspicious day known as a new year day for people of the Maharastra and the Konkan region. It is often called Samvatsar Padvo, and it arrives on the first day of Chaitra month. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Ugadi, and Sindhi people celebrate this new year as the Cheti Chand festival.
The term Gudi Padwa has two different words: Gudi and Padwa. Gudi means a flag of Brahma, and Padwa denotes the first day of the lunar phase. It is a colorful festival that brings joy and hopes for the next year and begins the harvest season for the Maharashtrian people.
On the other hand, Cheti Chand is also a new year for the Sindhi people, who celebrate this day as the emergence day of Lord Jhulelal.
History And Significance Of Gudi Padwa:
As per Hindu scriptures, it is believed that Lord Brahma has developed the world and time on this day after the universal destruction. Then this day became the first day of Satyug, and Brahma gradually expanded details of time and eco cycle. Therefore it is a very sacramental day to worship Lord Brahma and offer gratitude for his immense contribution.
This day is also celebrated to signify the victory of Lord Ram over Ravan and returning back to Ayodhya with his wife and brother. Thus, people celebrate the victory of good over evil and the safe arrival of lord ram on this day.
Because this day is a prominent festival in Maharashtra, people also believe that this day has special significance for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is believed that Shivaji Maharaj who was a great leader of the Maratha clan achieved victory and freedom from the dominance of Mughal troops.
The symbolic Gudi that holds substantial importance in this festival represents the flag of Lord Brahma and the flag of victory for Lord Ram and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Rituals And Celebration:
The celebration of this festival begins a few days before the Gudi Padwa. People start cleaning their houses and workplace as it is the first step of any Hindu festival. Shopping for new clothes, sweets, and decor items is also a part of this celebration that brings great enthusiasm and joy among people.
Purchasing a bright yellow or green color cloth piece, neem and mango leaves, a garland of yellow or red flowers, and a silver or copper pot is a very crucial step of Gudi Padwa. Because these elements are necessary to perform an iconic ritual of hoisting the sacred Gudi at the house entrance.
People hoist the Gudi by arranging bright color cloth with leaves and flower garland under a turned copper or silver pot on the bamboo stick. This ritual means welcoming new and positive energy for the new year and preventing all the negative and dark energy.
This festival starts in the morning when people take a sacred bath with aromatic oils and get ready to hoist their Gudi. First, people erect the Gudi and perform basic puja to seek blessings from Lord Brahma. Then they prepare delicious Maharashtrian dishes to serve their friends and relatives. Some of the main dishes are Puran Poli, Kaju Modak, shrikhand puri, banana Sheera, Shakarpara, Shahi Bhaji, and Kesari Bhaat.
Gudi Padwa is a blissful day to start anything new and positive and remove the past year’s negative influences. That’s why farmers start their reaping season, and business people begin their new financial cycle on this auspicious day.
It is a beautiful new year’s day that signifies Lord Brahma’s blessings and allows people to pray for a healthy and positive year by celebrating this festival with some tasteful traditional food items and sharing a joyous day with their loved ones.
