India is a land of cultures, traditions, rituals and lots of festivals .Each festival has its own origin and importance in our life, the next festival come arises is the most famous ‘Gudi Padwa‘. It’s been celebrated throughout the country with great enthusiasm and Holy Spirit.

According to the luni solar calendar shuka paksha pratipada is celebrated as the New Year of the Hindu calendar, considered as the 1st day of the chiatra month.

India’s economy is mostly depends on agriculture, here peoples worshiped their land as holy mother and show their respect with different festivals.

Gudi Padwa is highly auspicious day for Maharashtrian, it belongs to their tradition values and beginning of Vansant ritu or spring season.

This year gudi padwa will be celebrated on 28 March, Tuesday.

Origin of Gudi Padwa:

• Mythological Origin: According to the Hindu mythology, it is said that Lord Brahma created the cosmos on this day.
• Another Mythological Origins: According to mythology story lord Rama incarnation of lord Vishnu slaying demon king Ravana and return to ayodhya. It is considered that people of ayodhya celebrate this day.
• Historical Origins: According to the historical view, on this day satvahana king shalivhana killed their enemies. It is celebrated as victory of sakas over huns.
• Another Historical Origin: Many people of Maharashtra especially Marathas, celebrated this day as victory f their loving ruler Shivaji maharaj.
• Scientific Origins: It is considered that on this day Sun assumes position above the point of interaction of equator.
• This is the day of beginning of vikram savant.
• This day is also considered as divine consciences which emanates during early sunrise.

Rituals of Gudi Padwa:

• Ritual started with traditional oil bath.
• After taking bath each member of the house wear new clothes.
• Women are carrying themselves with tradition gajra and typical 9 meters sari sari known as navari and completed with gold ornaments, they especially wear traditional nose ring.
• People decorated their foot door with beautiful colorful rangolis, which is the symbol of prosperity and positivity.
• They bind a series of new mango leaves known as toran on the entrance of the home, which is a sign of pleasing and attracting goddess lakshmi, to fill their home with wealth and happiness.
• People decorated their house with garlands.

Special Customs of Hoist Gudi:

• First step is hoist a gudi on a bamboo stick covering with an empty copper pot kalash and brocade filled with piece of cloth especially yellow, green, or saffron. Each color has its own significance.
• At the top sugar crystal known as gathi, neem leaves, fresh garland and first bloom of mango leaves, tie up all these things with a holy thread called kalawa. Also offers cotton garland popularly known as gajmala, which a thin long thread of cotton round up with rori and haldi.
• Gudi should be erected on a clean ground on the terrace and window; it should be slightly tilted at an angle
• Gudi will be hoisted on such a place, so it can be seen to everyone from a far distance also
• Erected gudi is a symbol of victory and inspire us to be stand with dignity and handle the ups and down of the life with loyalty and positivity.
• After sunset gudi will be lay down with offering haldi and holy rice called akshat and said ‘punrag-manayache’ means go with promise of come back, come back soon.
• Members of the family worships and pray for good wealth and happiness can shower all over the year on them.
• After completed the rituals men and women are going to get together with their relatives, neighbors and close ones and share joy and happiness of the New Year.
• People started new work and business particularly on this auspicious day, they shop a lot especially buying gold, inaurgated new home, or buy new vehicle, etc.
• Women are greeted one another and apply kumkum and haldi on their fore head.

Gudi padwa’s food:

Top first thing one should take on this morning is the popular panchtatri, which is made up of five things, jiggery,  tender neem leaves, coriander seeds, tamarind juice, some add hing (asafoetida)or some add ajwain ( carom seeds) to it . It’s a mixture of sweet and sour taste. Scientifically this chatni purifies blood and strengthen immune system.

Puran poli is the tradition dish of maharashtrian and this important festival is in completed without having puran poli.

In some families shree khand is also added to this day meal.