Gudhi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा, often mis-pronounced as gudi padwa because ढी sounds like डी when spoken), is the Marathi name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It falls on 21st March 2015
It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also known as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day.
The word पाडवा(pāḍavā) or पाडवो(pāḍavo) comes from the Prakrit word पड्ड्वा/पाड्ड्वो(pāḍḍavā/pāḍḍavo), which stands for the first day of the bright phase of the moon called प्रतिपदा (pratipadā) in Sanskrit.
Known as Gudhi Padwa ("Gudhee Paadavaa") in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa,Yugadi among the rest of Konkani diaspora in Karnataka and Ugadi in Andhra pradesh ,Cheti chand among sindhi people and Navreh or Navreh amongst Kashmiri Pandits.
Chronological
Being the first day of the first month of a year, Gudhi Padwa is the New Year's Day for Marathi people ,Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the New Year day by Maharashtrians.
The Gudhi
- On Gudhi Padwa, a gudhi is found sticking out of a window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households.
- Bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gaathi (sugar crystals), neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of marigold flowers is tied.
- A silver or copper pot called kalash is placed in the inverted position over it. The peace symbol of the swastika is drawn with kum kum (vermillion) on it.
- Altogether, it is called as Gudhi. It is hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.
Significances of raising a Gudhi:
Maharashtrians also see the Gudhi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It also symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana over Sakas and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.
Gudhi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj (translation: Brahma’s flag) mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj (translation: the flag of Indra).
Mythologically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.
Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.
The Gudhi is positioned on the right side of the main entrance of the house. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul.
Home decoration:
1 The entrance of house is grandly decorated in all homes. The string of fresh mango leaves called 'toran' is a must.
2.Rangoli is an integral part of Indian festival decoration and also the Hindu religion. So rangoli designs are made outside the entrance to welcome the good spirits of the new year. Colours symbolise positivity; that is the logic behind making these vibrant floor designs outside homes.
3. Flowers are usually scattered around the place where the Gudi is hoisted. You can also decorate various flowers in flower vase & make flower rangolis.shevanti and jhendu flowers are available during this season
Festivities
On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.
Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the festivities by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree. Sometimes, a paste of neem leaves is prepared and mixed with dhane, gul/gur (known as jaggery in English), and tamarind. All the members of the family consume this paste, which is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.
Maharashtrian families also make shrikhand and Poori or Puran Poli on this day. Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer, a variety of Kheer made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. and Sanna.
Pls click here for gudi padwa recipes
Gudi Padwa is considered a very auspicious day. New ventures are begun, house-warming poojas are performed, and people also may choose to buy gold, silver or property on this day. There are some elgends behind the celebration of Gudi Padwa. It is said that the Universe was created by Brahma on this day and Satyuga (The Age of Truth and Justice) began.
Sade teen muhurt
One among the three and a half auspicious days (‘Muhurts’): Gudhipadva, Akshay trutiya and Dasra (Vijayadashmi) each make up one, and the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik comprises half of the total three and a half auspicious days. The special feature of these three and a half auspicious days is that unlike other days when one has to choose an auspicious moment to perform a ritual, in contrast, on these auspicious days one does not need to, as every moment of these days is auspicious.
Gudi padva celebrations at my home :
nice post! reading it I remembered the last year Gudi padwa festival when my mother and myself cooked a variety of dishes and drew rangoli designs and performed Lakshmi pooja in the evening.
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