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Gudi Padva or Padwa festival is on Wed, Mar 22, 2023. It is known by various names as per the city and culture. In Maharashtra, it is called as ‘Gudi Padwa’. In South Indian, it is known as ‘Ugadi’ in Telugu and ‘Yugadi’ in Kannada. Also the locals in Maharashtra state regard it as Chaitra Shukla Pratipada festival and celebrate it on grand basis. But in this modern world not only Maharashtrians but also NRI’s enjoy celebrating this festival with loads of gusto. It is celebrated on the very first day of Chaitra month to announce the beginning of the New Year (Lunisolar Hindu Calendar). This day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri and Ghatasthapana also identified as Kalash Sthapana is done on this day. Ghatasthapana is one of the noteworthy pujas (rituals) marking the beginning of Navratri. It is a divine invocation of Goddess Durga (Shakti) to bless the home occupants.
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Gudi Padwa Festival Puja and Vidhi:
The first and the foremost step towards the performance of Gudu Padwa puja is drawing a simple rangoli design on the ground and put a little mixture of Turmeric powder and kumkum (vermillion) at the centre point of your rangoli. Generally a Swastika is drawn in rangoli but one can always choose other designs such as diya or flower.
• Now, hand a toran of mango leaves at your door. Torans of mango leaves are available in flower market or at any flower stall outside Hindu temples. One can also make the toran at home. If one cannot find mango leaves, marigold flowers with red flowers would suffice.
• One can prepare sweet dishes such as Shrikhanda eaten with puris. Before you have the dish, offer some of it to one’s family deity or Ishta Deva.
• Making the Gudhi: It starts with a bamboo of medium size. Tie it atop with the piece of yellow and green cloth. (Alternative color orange or red). Tie a few neem and mango leaves around the cloth. Now tie a garland of red flowers along with some sugar crystals. Then, place a copper pot (kalash) atop in an inverted position.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gudi Padwa is considered as one of the most important festivals in India which is said to bring great energy into the body and mind of the devotees and bestows them with a lot of joy and happiness. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Gudi Padwa falls on the first day of the Chaitra month. Gudi Padwa as a festival is referred to as a symbol of victory, hence the word Gudi means a flag which is held high. Gudi represents the flag of both Lord Brahma and Indra named Brahma Dhwaj and Indra Dhwaj respectively.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Date and Timings:
In 2023, Gudi Padwa falls on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The Pratipada Tithi Begins at 10:52 p.m on March 21, 2023, and it will end at 08:20 p.m on March 22, 2023.
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Gudi Padwa Rituals:
-The Gudi Padwa Rituals start with a holy oil bath which relaxes muscles and helps in strengthening the body.
-Women and children indulge in making wonderful rangolis with a variety of colours and decorate the entrance of the house with mango leaves and red flowers.
-After the decoration gets over, Puja is offered to Lord Brahma with the help of a fragrant plant named ‘davna’. Then a havan is conducted, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
-The most important part of the festival is the making of the Gudi. A yellow-coloured cloth is decorated with red flowers and mango leaves and is tied to a bamboo stick. Then a pot made up of copper or silver is fixed to it. That’s called a Gudi. Then the Gudi is hoisted at a height either on the terrace or the entrance of the house.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gudi Padwa is a festival that augments the new year and is usually celebrated on the first day of the Indian month of Chaita according to the lunar calendar. Most of the Indian festivals have a very special and intriguing history and it is interesting to see the manner in which they are celebrated. This Maharashtrian festival is no exception and provides you with many tales related to it. Also called Ugadi in the Indian state of Karnataka, this is a festival, which is filled with a certain charm, and vibrance that is visually delightful.
Let us see some of the interesting stories that show the customs and traditions of Gudi Padwa. This is a celebration of the victory march of Shivaji Maharaja, the veteran Maratha leader. The festival is celebrated in honour of this great king who had a kingdom that spread across the entire western part of India. This is the reason people worship the gudi which is a cloth which flies like a flag, that is usually a sign of victory in an army.
Gudi Padwa is also considered the harvest festival, which shows that the rabi crop has ended for the season. This is the time when mangoes and other fruits are reaped. Gudi Padwa is the time when you find delicious ripe mangoes in the market.
Again, there is another reason why this festival is celebrated. It is believed that this is the day when the universe was created. It is believed by all Hindus that this is the day Lord Brahma created the world. It is thus dedicated to the innumerable Gods we have in the country. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu took the Matsya incarnation or the form of the fish on this day. This was an incarnation to save the entire earth from destruction or pralaya.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
