Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra

Out of many festivals celebrated in Maharashtra with fun and frolic, Gudi Padwa is one of them. It is celebrated, marking the arrival of spring while coinciding with Marathi and Konkani Hindus’ New Year. ‘Gudi’ means the Brahma flag hoisted on this auspicious day, while ‘Padwa’ means the first day of the moon’s bright face. Maharashtrians hoist the Brahamadhvaj on the day of Gudi Padwa to mark and celebrate the victory of good over evil. Hence, it is also called Marathi New Year. According to the Lunisolar Hindu Calendar, the festival occurs every year on the first day of Chaitra, which usually falls between March and April.

This unique festival holds important significance for Maratha Hindus. Therefore, the Marathi, Hindus, and Konkani welcome their new year and harvest season in traditionally decked attire. Not just in Maharashtra, but this famous Indian festival is celebrated in different Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, and Karnataka.Gudi Padwa is also known as the Ugadi festival. It is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, and in Karnataka, the festival is celebrated as Yugadi. If you plan to visit Maharashtra in April 2023, you must know about this flamboyant festival.

If you are planning to visit Maharashtra in April 2023, you must know about this flamboyant festival.

When is Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra in 2024?

In the year 2024, Gudi Padwa will be celebrated with great vim and vigor on 22nd March, Tuesday, according to the Hindu calendar.

Where is the Gudi Padwa Festival Celebrated in Maharashtra?

The Konkani Hindu and Marathi Hindus celebrate Gudi Padwa in all the cities scattered across Maharashtra, including Pune, Nasik, and Mumbai.

Legend of Gudi Padwa

One of the popular series of Hindu Texts, known as Puranas, states that Gudi Padwa was the same day when the era of truth and justice began – ‘Satyug.’ The history of Gudi Padwa is associated with Lord Brahma, who recreated the world after he devastated it in anger. Amidst that devastation, time stopped, including for people of the world. According to manuscripts, the time restarted from the day of Gudi Padwa. Therefore, Lord Brahma is worshipped on this day. Also, Hindu texts found that on the day of Gudi Padwa, the Lord Brahma began the concept of days, weeks, months, and years.

Another famous tale associated with the Gudi Padwa festival is that on this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman from exile. When they reached Ayodhya, Lord Rama’s crowning was done by the ‘Brahmadhvaj’ (Flag of Brahma). Also, the Gudi was praised at the Ayodhya entrance as the ‘Victory Flag.’ The Hindu texts also say that Gudi Padwa was the same day Lord Rama gained victory over Bali (the elder brother of Sugreeva and father of Angada).

Why do Maharashtrians and Marathis celebrate Gudi Padwa?

People of Maharashtra, especially Marathi, greatly appreciate the Gudi Padwa festival. Most of them believe that the founder of the Maratha Kingdom – Chatrapati Shivaji, celebrated a victory on this day. The brave warrior of the Maratha Kingdom devastated the army of General Kartalab Khan – Mughal Army Leader. The battle of Umberkhind in the mountain range of Sahyadri was held on 3rd February 1661. Since then and now, Gudi Padwa is believed to ward off evil and invite prosperity and Goodluck.

How to hoist a Gudi?

• Take a bamboo stick and tie a red, yellow, or green cloth on its tip.
• Take mango and neem leaves to tie around the cloth.
• Tie the sugar and garland crystals on the leaves.
• Draw swastik with kumkum after putting an inverted copper/silver pot over the cloth.

Once you do all these things, place your “Gudi” on the entrance of your house or window. Again, make sure you put the “Gudi” on the right side.

After placing the Gudi, chant the mantras and proceed with “Bhog” to “Gudi.”

How is Gudi Padwa Celebrated in Maharashtra?

• On the auspicious day of Gudi Padwa, people start their day with a customary oil bath. Afterward, wear new clothes and decorate the house.
• This festival’s highlight is rangoli – the colorful floor decoration Gudi flag garlanded with mango, flowers, and neem leaves topped with copper or silver vessels around a long bamboo stick.
• The “Gudi” is placed either at the house’s entrance or outside the window.
• Women come on the street while fancying their nine-yard long traditional Marathi sarees, and men wear dhoti-kurta with saffron or red turban. The Gudi Padwa prasad comprises tamarind, jaggery, neem, and coconut pulp.