Gudi Padwa is a Spring festival that marks the New Year Celebration, it is Celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month according to the lunisolar Hindu Calendar in Maharastra and Konkan regions. Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the New Year in Marathi Calendar.
Gudi Padwa is also know as Marathi New Year and it is, celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month.
Gudi Padwa is also popularly known as Samvatsara Padvo, and it literally means the first day of new Samvat. Samvatsara is the 60 years long cycle, which is linked to the position of Jupiter. Each year in Samvatsara, cycle is assigned a fixed name and the prediction, for the coming year is done based on the nature of new Samvat.
As per the Vedic astrology, the day of Gudi Padwa is very significant. The day Gudi Padwa falls under Sadhe Teen Muhurat. In Vedic astrology, Gudi Padwa, Akshaya Tritiya, Vijayadashmi and half of Bali Pratipada, create Sadhe Teen Muhurat. It is believed that all work conducted on these days give positive results.
How is Gudi Padwa celebrated ?
According to Brahma Puran, on this auspicious day, Lord Brahma created a new world Satyuga, after the great deluge. Hence, Gudi Padwa is especially dedicated to the worship of Lord Brahma. It is also believed, Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as Matsya Avatar ( the fish incarnation) and saved the mankind from destruction.
Gudi Padwa festival is also celebrated to commemorate the Victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. By hoisting Gudi at the entrance of every house people express their happiness as Lord Rama returned from exile after 14 yrs together with Goddess Sita and brother Laxmana. It symbolises the victory of good over evil.
People in Maharashtra celebrate Gudi Padwa in honour of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj a great Maratha Leader. Under the leadership of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maratha force's fought bravely with Mughals and defeated them. Gudi's were raised in honour Of the Brave Maratha soldiers as a sign of Victory over the Mughals. Hence Gudi's are displayed in front of every house and windows, celebrating the Victory of the Maratha warriors, also it is believed, displaying Gudi's in front of house wards off the evil and bring good fortune.
Which state celebrates Gudi Padwa ?
Being one of the important festivals,Gudi Padwa is celebrated, with great pomp and show in the State of Maharashtra.
What are the rituals ?
Gudi Padwa rituals begins before sunrise where devotee's wake up early, in the morning and take a holy bath by applying oil on their bodies, some people also visit the near by River, for the holy dip in the water.
RANGOLI
On the festive day, courtyards in village house's, will be swept clean and plastered with fresh Cow-Dung. The women clean their home's and decorate the house and entrance with Mango leaves and beautiful flowers. Women and children, work on intricate Rangoli designs on their doorsteps. The vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with Spring. Rangoli is said to invite prosperity and abundance into the house.
Toran's with a combination of Mango leaves and flowers are hung above the main entrance door. All the family members are dressed in the best and brand new clothes. Women's wear Gold jewellery, as Gold is symbol of prosperity and also prefer wearing the traditional, Maharashtrian Nauvari saree on Gudi Padwa.
The hoisting of Gudi is the most important ritual of this Celebration.
How is Gudi made ?
The Gudi is made by purchasing, a bright green or yellow, silken cloth with a zari brocade, on it and tying it on to a long bamboo stick. On the top of the cloth then neem leaves, gathi traditional Maharashtrian sweet, a garland of red or yellow flowers and a twig with Mango leaves are also tied. This stick with the various ornaments is topped off with an inverted Silver or Copper pot. The Gudi is placed either at the gate or outside the window.
The hoisting of Gudi is done by, the senior member of the family. It is a day of bonding and togetherness, with friends and relatives. Meeting friends, exchanging gifts with each other and having meals and sweets together with all the family, members and friends. Special dishes like Shrikhand-Poori, Puran Poli are made specifically for Gudi Padwa and are offered to God and Gudi as well. After offering the prayers, all the family members and friends, present at the place have the meals together.
Another unique custom, that is part of the Celebration is the, ingestion of Neem leaves. The Gudi Padwa Prasad, is prepared using Neem leaves with jaggery is a bitter-sweet Prasad. It is prepared in every Marathi household, that signifies the journey of life with the fair share of sorrow and happiness.
In the cities and towns, of Maharashtra procession of men and women with flags in their hand, dressed in colourful traditional attire dancing and singing, about the valour of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are a common sight. The traditional Maharashtrian, dance Lezim is often seen being performed in these processions.
Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the New Year Day in Maharashtra. The other versions of this event are, Cheti-Chand (Sindhi New Year) Ugadi ( Telegu New Year), Yugadi ( Kannada New Year) and Navreh ( Kashmiri New Year ).
As we celebrate, the festival of Spring Gudi Padwa in April this year.
May the bitterness of Neem, remove all that is unhealthy, and may the sweetness of jaggery fill our lives with good health.
I wish you all, a Happy Gudi Padwa and a healthy and a prosperous New Year!!
By Viinod Baherani
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