Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that clocks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus. On the first day of the Chaitra month which is the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, Gudi Padwa is celebrated. The term-Padava (Padwa) is hailed from the Sanskrit i.e Pratipada that refers to the first day of a lunar fortnight. The New Year of the Telugu and Kannada people is called Ugadi, which is celebrated on the same day. This festival is known by different names in different states and it is also celebrated in different styles as well. Know everything about this festival from date, significance and puja rituals.
Know everything about Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi:
The name Gudi Padwa is composed of two words -Gudi and Padwa. In the southern region, it is called Ugadi. On this auspicious day, Indians decorate their doorsteps with Rangoli, flowers, mango leaves and hoist Gudi flags (specifically in Maharashtra). The festival is celebrated because of the arrival of the spring season. As per Hindu mythology, this festival also symbolizes Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan. It commemorates the celebrations in honor of Lord Ram after his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.
Gudi Padwa Tithi:
This year Gudi Padwa pratipada tithi will start at 8 am on 12 April and it will end on 13 April at 10:16 am. On the day of this festival, people rise early in the morning and make arrangements for the celebrations and follow traditional rituals of the puja. The mahurat for the Gudi hoisting is between 11:56 am to 12:24 pm this year.
The celebrations of Gudi Padwa will fall on April 13, 2021 i.e. Tuesday.
Gudi Padwa Rituals:
- Ritualistic bath. Indians usually have an oil-based bath. It is done by applying organic oil to the body and then let the skin absorb the required quantity of oil before cleaning it off.
- Wear new clothes
- The celebrations begin with the decoration of houses. It is usually done with flowers, mango leaves, rangoli, etc. In Maharashtra, the Gudi flags are made using colorful silk clothes, which are tied to a bamboo stick with neem and Mango leaves, Saakhar Gaathi (sugar candy garland) alongside flowers at the top. The Kalash on the bamboo stick is kept in an inverted position. The Gudi is hoisted outside the window/house after the puja.
- During this festival people usually make Puranpoli, Kothimbir Vadi, Shrikhand, Batata Vada and few other recipes.
Ugadi Rituals:
- People wake up during dawn hours. Take an auspicious sesame oil-based bath and carry new clothes.
- House doors are decorated with mango leaves and it symbolizes a good yield in the house.
- As a part of Ugadi rituals, people purify their houses and surroundings with fresh cow dung which is considered pious according to Hindu customs. People make rangolis at the entrance of their houses.
- One of the prominent rituals of Ugadi is that people call the pundits at home and make him prepare the yearly forecast of astrology for each member of the house.
- Netizens prepare vegetarian meals that include a variety of special dishes. But most dish remains the juice which is the Ugadipachadi. A special dish made with jaggery (sweet), salt (salty), tamarind (sour), neem flowers (bitter), raw mango (tangy), and last but not least chili powder (spicy). The mixed flavors of these ingredients in Pachadi are to symbolize the happy and sad times from our routine life.
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Also Read: Gudi Padwa 2020: How To Celebrate Marathi New Year And Make Gudi At Home