India is a diverse country with vibrant colours, festivals, and rituals. Though 1st January is considered as a universal New Year, in India each state and community have their own New Year. One such New Year is the festival of ‘Gudi Padwa’.
‘Gudi Padwa’ is one of the most revered festivals of Maharashtra, and other areas of Konkan regions like Goa. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month according to the Hindu Panchangam calendar (generally, March end or April starting). It marks the commencement of the new harvest season and the Marathi and Konkani New Year. Do you know what ‘Gudi Padwa’ exactly means? The word ‘Gudi’ represents the flag of Lord Brahma’ and the word ‘Padwa’ means ‘Pratipada’ which in turn means ‘the first day of the new moon phase’. Thus, Lord Brahma is worshipped on the first day of the new moon phase! Gudi represents ‘Victory over evil’. In fact, ‘Gudi Padwa’ is also celebrated in some areas in Karnataka, popularly known as ‘Ugadi’.
There are several rituals associated with ‘Gudi Padwa’. It is incredible to learn how Gudi Padwa is observed in Maharashtrian households with great enthusiasm and divinity!
- Firstly, people declutter and clean their houses. Any celebration or any pooja begins by cleaning the house.
- After taking an oil bath early in the morning, people light the Diyas or oil lamps and pray to Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu and offer flowers to the deity. The new Hindu calendar is also kept in front of the deity. Interestingly, people eat neem leaves as a ritual.
- It is fascinating to know that the most important aspect of the celebration of ‘Gudi Padwa’ is hoisting ‘Gudis’ which is believed to attract good luck and prosperity in the house. So, how to make Gudi at home? The ‘Gudi’ is made up of a copper or brass pot (kalash). It is adorned with a bright cloth, a flower garland, and neem and mango leaves. Then, this is fixed to the top end of the bamboo sticks. The gudi is hoisted at the doorway where it is easily visible to all. The gudi is worshipped within 5-10 minutes of sunrise. Thus, people need to take a bath before the sun rises!
- The house is also embellished with beautiful rangolis. The rangoli consisting of elements like the kalash, cloth, flowers, bamboo, and mango leaves depict the remarkable festival of Gudi Padwa.
- Gudi Padwa decoration ideas also include making a lovely toran and flower garland (usually made up of marigold flowers) and hanging them on the main door along with mango leaves.
- People wear their ethnic attire and lively processions are carried out with a lot of pomp and show, accompanied by dhols, music, and cultural performances. The typical lezim dance is performed by ladies in the evening, all decked up in colourful traditional nine-yard (navvari) saris.
- As a ritual, shreekhand is prepared and eaten with pooris. A combination of sweet and bitter tastes is considered holy on this day. Thus, neem or margosa leaves are included in jaggery to cook dishes on this day. The main idea is to make people realize that life is a blend of both ups and downs, good days and bad days.
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People also remember the great Maharashtrian warrior ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’ on this auspicious day! It is also believed that this festival started after Shivaji Maharaj’s memorable victory over enemies.
Indeed, Gudi Padwa celebrations are a beautiful spring festival, observed with great joy and vigor! The main motive behind this festival is to pray for good health, wealth, and overall prosperity for everyone around.
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FAQs on Gudi Padwa:
How to celebrate Gudi Padwa at home?
Gudi Padwa celebrations begin with an early morning bath, wearing ethnic clothes, lighting a lamp, and offering your prayers and flowers to the deity. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are worshipped on this day. You can adorn your house with rangoli, flower garlands, and kalash. Gudis is hoisted on this day in the doorway. Processions are carried out and lezim dance is performed by ladies in sarees in the evening.
Can I organize virtual celebrations for Gudi Padwa with friends and family?
Yes, if physically not possible, then you can even organize virtual Gudi Padwa celebrations, including the making of the Gudi, offering prayers and flowers to the deity, and a virtual dance performance!
Are there specific rituals to follow on Gudi Padwa?
Yes, one needs to take a bath before sunrise, wear clean ethnic attire, decorate the deity with flowers, light the oil lamp and incense sticks, and offer prayers to Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Make rangoli and decorate the front door with flower garlands. One needs to have neem leaves and sweets to eat. Ladies perform lezim dance in the evening.
How can I involve my family in Gudi Padwa preparations?
You can involve both kids and the elderly in the family in cleaning the house, ornamenting the house with flowers, decorating the pooja room, and preparing sweets like Shreekhand and pooris on this day.
Can I create a Gudi Padwa-themed rangoli at home?
Making a rangoli with colours and flowers is one of the best Gudi Padwa decoration ideas. You can create a Gudi Padwa themed rangoli at home showcasing a bamboo stick, a vibrant-looking cloth, kalash, mango leaves, and flowers.
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