Gudi Padwa

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Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra as New Year's Day by the Maharashtri people. This festival coincides with New Year's celebrations across the Indian sub-continent.

Padwa is a derivation of the Sanskrit word for "crop" and this maintains the link between New Year in the sub-continent and agrarian activities. The time of the harvest – the New Crop – is the start of the New Year.

The word Gudi is harder to explain. A ‘gudi’ is a pole on top of which an upturned brass or silver pot marked with a swastika, called a kalash, is placed. The gudi is covered with a colourful silk cloth decorated with coconuts, marigolds and mango leaves to symbolise nature’s bounty. On Gudi Padwa, you will find gudis hanging out of windows or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtri households. Traditionally, a Gudi was raised to announce victory and joy, and it is used as a reminder of the valiant Marathas returning home from their successful expeditions of war.

It has become a custom to hold Poetry Recitals called Kavi Sammelans on Gudi Padwa.

New Year also marks the beginning of the Spring season and people celebrate with great joy. Before the festival houses are cleaned, colourful rangoli designs are drawn at the entrances and new clothes are worn on this day.

There is a family gathering, and Maharashtri delicacies are prepared for everyone. The Maharashtri make puran poli or sweet rotis, soonth panak and chana usal. Traditionally, bittersweet leaves of the neem tree (related to mahogany) are eaten on this day and a paste of crushed neem leaves, cumin seeds, gul (a type of sugar called jaggery in English), tamarind and salt is taken before eating any food in the morning. This paste is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.

The Gudi is worshipped by offering sandalwood paste, turmeric and vermilion. Then boys and young men of the locality form a pyramid and the person on top of the pyramid breaks the coconut which is in the kalash.

Gudi Padwa is considered a very auspicious day. New ventures are begun, house-warming pujas are performed, and people may also choose to buy gold, silver or property on this day.

There are some legends 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.

It is also believed that on this day, King Vali was killed by Rama and Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya victorious. Lord Vishnu too is said to have incarnated as Matsya, the fish, on this day.