Gudi Padwa (popularly referred to as Samvatsara Padvo) marks the start of each new year in Maharashtra and India as a whole. It takes its name from two words – ‘gudi’ means an emblem or flag representing Hindu Lord Brahma, while ‘padwa’ stands for the first day of the phase of the moon. Gudi padwa festival marks the beginning of harvest season and people celebrate Gudi padwa with much enthusiasm in Maharashtra. This year the Marathi New Year will kick off on Tuesday 9 Apr 2024 which marks the start of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival!

History and Significance of Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padva marks the arrival of spring and the harvesting of rabi crops, marking Brahma’s creation of time and universe on that mythical day. Some believe this festival commemorates Rama’s coronation after defeating Ravana or start of Shalivahan calendar after defeating Huns in 1 century. According to Maharashtrian culture in rural Maharashtra this event also represents Shiva dancing and brings communities together by carrying Gudi Kavads to temple. Some also consider Gudi Day to be a day when King Shalivahana celebrated his victory and people hoisted the flag when he returned to Paithan, thus symbolizing victory over evil.

Date and Celebration: Gudi Padwa 2024

2024 Padwa Date

Gudi Padwa will occur this year on April 9th, 2024 and marks the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2081 and Chaitra Navratri festivities. Also known by various regional names such as Ugadi, Cheti Chand or Yugadi; Chaitra Pratipada marks the official commencement of festivities!

Beginning of the Hindu New Year

Gudi padwa, or Marathi Hindu New Year celebration, occurs annually during spring on the first day of Chaitra month (March-April). It celebrates a lunisolar Hindu calendar.

Traditional Rituals and Customs Followed During the Celebration

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• On this auspicious day, people begin by cleaning their aangans or courtyards thoroughly to welcome in the New Year with open arms. Additionally, many villages still use cow dung as part of a ceremonial decoration of homes and structures.
• Women and children decorate their homes to welcome in the New Year with vibrant and attractive rangoli designs made with color powder on the floor, to welcome in the New Year in style. Rangoli artform can range from patterns made by fish or bird forms, geographical motifs or symbols like Swastika, Kalash and Om sign symbols; to people using their creative and artistic abilities to make figures such as Shiva or Vishnu that make home entrances look celestial.
• On this day, people take oil baths as part of a traditional Hindu ceremony and dress in traditional attire; men wear Kurta Pyjamas while women wear paithani sarees, nauvari saree, uppada etc. Girls often wear lehengas. Women in Maharashtra traditionally wear their sari in a style similar to half dhoti/half sari style with mogra flowers tied into its corners as well as golden earrings tied up with chains attached directly to its ears Other than that they adorn variety beautifull Mahatashtrian jewellery. They often tied around their head with saffron coloured cloth turbans around their heads – especially among men.

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• Create an inviting entryway rangoli for Gudi Padwa festival and hoist its flag “Gudi.” Worship its presence within five to ten minutes after sunrise. Establish the Gudi at your main entrance of home. Position it to the right side of your main door – an indication of where your soul resides – with yellow silk decorations such as red flowers or mango tree branches on it for decoration. Mark the auspicious Swastika with turmeric powder and vermillion. At Gudi Padwa festival, candles should be lit and later on drink from a copper pot hung with bamboo sticks at the top of Gudi, for it is believed that on Gudi Padwa-Marathi New Year day the inner side of Sun becomes extremely active, transmitting divine consciousness via frequencies which will last throughout the day and eventually be stored into one’s cells and consumed later on by individuals.

Gudi Padwa Traditional Foods

Source: YouTube- swarra’s sweet delights

There are numerous food items prepared specifically to commemorate this festival, but here we present only those most commonly eaten on that day.

• Basundi: Basundi (pronounced BASUN-dee) is another traditional Indian sweet dish made with milk, mawa (chewy rice flour), dry fruits (such as dry cherries or almonds) , elaichi powder and kesar powder. Once mixed together the milk must be heated until its color turns pink for optimal results – creating an unforgettable treat at any party or banquet!
• Sabudana Vada: Sabudana vada is an irresistibly delicious treat made of tapioca pearls, peanuts and mashed potatoes that’s popular not just in Maharashtra but across North India too – especially during Navratri fasts!
• Coconut ladoos:  A traditional dessert served at Gudi Padwa, are delicious bite-sized treats made of condensed milk, sugar and grated coconut.
• Kothimbir vadi:  Made of besan (gram flour), coriander leaves, and spices is an enduring favorite year round but particularly during festive seasons. Steamed, cut into squares, then deep fried to a crispy crunch – Kothimbir vadi absorbs less oil!
• Modaks: Made of basmati rice flour and mawa, are iconic Maharashtrian sweets, prepared on almost every festival across the state. Stuffed with fresh coconuts, jaggery, dry fruits and elaichi for extra flavour, these steamed treats can be enjoyed both hot and cold!
• Aamras: Is an iconic dessert in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Typically, this mango juice or ras is created without using a blender or mixer grinder – Gudi Padwa marks its creation using the first fruit of the season; pair this delicious treat with puris for an authentic experience!
• Puran Poli: A 14th century Telugu script that contains the recipe of Puran Poli is an indicator of its age. Just the mention of Puran Poli can bring back childhood memories of breaking flatbread, ladling generous amounts of ghee on it, devouring every bit and licking off every inch of plate! Puran poli is composed of chana dal, mixed with besan and jaggery; then cooked using lots of ghee.
• Shrikhand: Is an Indian delicacy made with yogurt sweetened with sugar, cardamom and saffron for maximum flavour and versatility. Customise its flavour further by including mango or strawberry extracts! Shrikhand should always be enjoyed alongside hot crispy puris.

Gudi Padwa: Regional Variations

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Commemorating the beginning of Hindu new year, this festival is celebrated all across India under various names and with some variation in rituals.

• Ugadi festival celebrated across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.
• Bihu of Assam, 
• Navreh from Kashmir 
• Cheti Chand in Sindh 
• Vishu (Kerala)

Not all Hindu communities celebrate Vishu as the new year due to two types of calendars in practice. Luni-Solar calendar which defines days based on both moon and sun positions and Solar calendar which uses sun positions alone as its basis.

Spiritual Significance of Gudi Padwa

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Hinduism holds Gudi Padwa to be an auspicious day for starting new ventures and holding housewarming ceremonies, due to many reasons associated with Gudi Padwa being such an auspicious day:

• Astrological Importance: According to Vedic astrology, planets and stars influence our lives. Gudi Padwa marks when the Sun moves into Aries as it begins its annual journey around the zodiac. Most people and astrologers  consider this day auspicious for new beginnings or embarking upon projects, including moving house.
• Spiritual Significance: Gudi Padwa marks the start of Hindu New Year and can be seen as an occasion for new beginnings, commemorating both its creation and victory over evil. Many people hold housewarming ceremonies on this day in hopes that performing them will bring blessings and positive energy into their new home.
• Traditional Significance: Gudi Padwa Day in Maharashtra has strong symbolic associations with Lord Brahma, whom it is said created the universe on this date. Furthermore, Rama is believed to have returned home after defeating Ravana on Gudi Padwa, making this day auspicious for beginning new ventures or hosting housewarming ceremonies.

Gudi Padwa is an auspicious day to express our joy, happiness, and togetherness. Make this special momentous event even more joyful by sharing greetings with those you care about on this auspicious occasion. As we welcome in a New Hindu Year together let love and blessings surround you as new beginnings are celebrated with open arms.