What is Gudi Padwa, significance, celebration and festivities and other details

Gudi Pwa is a festival celebrated in springtime to mark new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus. festival is celebrated in and near state of Maharastra and Goa on first day of Chaitra month. It marks beginning of New Year according to lunisolar Hindu calendar. Re on to kw more about significance, tritions and how to celebrate this festival.

Re | Gudi Pwa Quotes In English To Share With Friends And Family On This Auspicious Occasion

Historical legends and beliefs

Gudi Pwa contes arrival of spring and to reaping of Rabi crops. But festival is also linked to some mythologies. Given below are some of mythical beliefs which is why festival of Gudi Pwa is celebrated

• Brahma Purana, one of Hindus' holy scriptures, tes that Lord Brahma recreated universe after a raging diluvium in which all time h stopped and killed all inhabitants of earth. Time restarted on Gudi Pva and era of truth and justice (kwn as Satyug) began from this day on. So on this day, Lord Brahma is worshipped.
• It is believed that hoisting Gudi outside of home would ward off any negative energy, making room for good luck and well-being. During this day, many entrepreneurs inaugurate ir plans, because it is considered an auspicious day.

Preparation of Gudi Pwa

Gudi Pwa is me by people celebrating festival. y buy a bright green or yellow silken cloth which has a zari broce on it. n it is tied on to a long bamboo stick and after that, on top of cloth, neem leaves, gathi, a garland of red or yellow flowers and a twig with mango leaves are also tied. n an inverted silver or copper pot is put on top of this stick with all ornaments on it. Gudi is prepared and is placed eir at gate or outside window.

Re | Gudi Pwa Quotes In Marathi That You Can Share With Your Family And Friends To Wish m

Rangoli

Gudi Pwa is celebrated with decorating floor with rangoli designs. Rangoli is one of most popular forms of decorating house on any auspicious Hindu festival. Since Gudi Pwa has particular motif, people celebrating Gudi Pwa take liberty and use a variety of motifs in whichever combination y like.

Re | Gudi Pwa Rangoli Ims That You Can Draw Inspiration From

Re | Gudi Pwa Messs In English To Wish Your Loves Ones On Auspicious Day

Celebration and Festivities

Since festival marks arrival of spring and Maharashtrian new year, people clean ir houses and courtyards. On day of festival, y ba in special oils and aromatics and women of house prepare extensive rangoli at doorstep of ir house and where Gudi is to be erected.  People dress up in ir best clos, while women dress up in sarees or salwar kameez, men wear kurta pyjamas, preferably in colour white.

After that, most important ritual takes place and  Gudi is erected. People offer prayers to Lord Brahma. People in every locality come toger and perform a special ritual, that is to break a coconut kept in Gudi by forming a human pyramid. pyramid is formed only by men and young boys.

Ar unique practice which forms part of celebrations is ingestion of neem leaves. se can be eaten directly or ground into a paste, and used along with jaggery and or seeds in a special preparation. This trition has importance of marking beginning of festivities. On this day, special food is prepared including a sweet dish, kwn as Shrikhand, which is eaten with a of Indian bre kwn as Poori. Or special dishes include sweet Indian flatbre, Soonth Panak and Chana, also kwn as Pooran Poli.

attire for Gudi Pwa

Since Gudi Pwa's main celebration takes place in Maharashtra, attire worn by people is very tritional to region, particularly women. saree is draped in such a way that bottom half looks more like dhoti pants than a long skirt, which could be in a range of bright colours. sarees typically have gold embellishments at border while rest of sarees are white, i.e. without any pattern. In dition to an elaborate gold se pin, this ensemble is accessorized with a garland of mogra flowers in hair which is tied in a bun. Even  earrings are in gold, with a single ornamental chain pinned to  hair. Most men and women even tie up a turban in saffron-coloured cotton cloth around ir hes.

Im credits for all pics: Shutterstock