The festival of Gudi Padwa is right around the weekend, and being a part of the city that celebrates every festival with grandeur, we observe why the festival is celebrated and shed light on its significance.
1. Gudi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra month that marks the beginning of the New Year according to lunisolar Hindu calendar.
2. It has many names such as Samvatsar Padvo, Yugadi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand or and Navreh. It is also celebrated in the North East state of Manipur and is known as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba. The people prepare a variety of cuisines on this day and later climb a nearby hillock in the evening.
3. India is a predominantly agrarian society where agriculture is the main occupation. Gudi Padwa is one of the most famous harvesting festivals of India that marks end of one season and beginning of a new one.
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4. On this day the position of the Sun is above the point of intersection of the equator, which according to the Hindu calendar marks the commencement of the Spring Season.
5. Mythologically, this day too celebrates the defeat of Ravana in the hands of Lord Rama and his eventual happy return to Ayodhya.
6. Maharashtra’s Great Warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the person who started the Gudi Padwa celebrations after his victory. The tradition of raising the Gudi was initiated by Shivaji and from then on has been followed by every Marathi household to welcome the New Year.
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7. The Gudi is observed at the entrance of Maharashtrain households. So what is it? A Gudi is a stick covered in a bright cloth adorned with brocade or zari that has been topped with sugar crystals, neem leaves, twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers. This is covered by a silver or copper pot in an inverted position.
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8. The festivity is observed by people engaging in spring cleaning and wearing new clothes. Families are supposed to begin this day by eating bittersweet leaves of neem tree or a paste which is prepared with neem leaves, jaggery and tamarind. The paste is believed to purify blood and strengthen the body’s immune system.
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9. The traditional Maharashtrain food fare on this day consists of Shrikhand and Puri and Puran Poli. The Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer which is a sweet dish made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery and rice.
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10. Buying gold, new vehicle or anything new is considered to bring prosperity if done on this day.
