Gudhi Padva is an important festival & one of the 3 ½ muhurta (auspicious days) for Maharashtrians It is an ideal day to start a new business, buy a new house, buy a new vehicle, make an investment etc...
It falls on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (somewhere around March-end or April-start) and is celebrated in the state as the New Year's Day. The day on which the festival takes place coincides with the first day of Hindu National Calendar (as adopted by the Government of India). Gudhi Padwa is also celebrated in some states of South India, though the name (Ugadi) by which it is known there is different--
On this day Gudhi, a special kind of a flag is erected outside the house. Gudhi also known as Brahmadhwaj (Flag of Lord Brahma) is a symbol of happiness, joy, glory, celebration of victory.
The day of Gudi Padwa starts with the cleaning ritual, in which the house is fully cleaned (in case of villages, it is then covered with fresh cow-dung). Thereafter, women and children indulge in the drawing as well as coloring of intricate rangoli designs on the doorsteps. Usually, vibrant colors are chosen for the rangoli, in keeping with the spirit of the festival. Every member of the family wears new clothes and eats soonth panak and chana usal, the specialties of the day. Celebrations This gudhi is made of about 6-10 feet long wooden stick about ½ - 1 inch diameter. A piece of silk or cotton cloth is tied at one end of the stick, a silver/stainless steel/brass (pot) is placed on the cloth. A garland of flowers & another garland of gathi (sugar cookies) is placed around the pot. A small branch of Kadunimb is also tied. Gudhi is placed on a small wooden plate (Paat).
Other delicacies made on Gudhi Padwa festival include Shrikand and Poori. In the earlier days, family members used to start the day by eating the leaves of neem tree. However, the tradition is not as rigidly followed these days. Usually, people consume a paste of neem leaves (combined with ajwain, jaggery and tamarind). The leaves as well as the paste are believed to cleanse blood and toughen the immune system Importance of Gudhi Padva - It marks the arrival of Spring Season.
- Harvest for farmers begins with Gudhi Padva.
- Marathi New Year (Shalivahan Shak) begins on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada.
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