Gudi Padwa 2023 – For the people of Maharashtra, the Indian festival of Gudi Padwa heralds the start of the New Year and the harvest period. The name “Gudi” is used to describe the flag of Brahma, which is raised on this day, and designates the first day of the moon’s bright phase.
According to the Hindu calendar, this festival is observed on the first day of the month of Chaitra, which often falls between the months of March and April on the Gregorian calendar. Additionally, this day serves as a metaphor for India’s Vasant, or spring, season.
The Marathi Hindus celebrate the New Year during the spring festival known as Gudi Padwa. According to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, it is observed in Maharashtra and the Konkan areas on the first day of the Chaitra month.
The Sanskrit word pratipada, which describes the first day of a lunar fortnight, is the root of the word padava. This day, which commemorates the beginning of the New Year, the onset of spring, and the harvesting of Rabi crops, is seen as lucky. Gudhi is an acronym for the flag.
The festival of Gudi Padwa is marked by the display of a stick covered in colourful fabric, neem leaves, and garlands in front of every home in Maharashtra. People think that keeping the Gudi in their homes will ward off evil spirits and provide luck.
According to myth, the Gudi Padwa festival commemorates the day when Lord Brahma created the universe and time. Others consider that this day honours Rama’s coronation in Ayodhya following his victory over Ravana. Chhatrapati Shivaji, a renowned warrior from Maharashtra, was the one who first began Gudi Padwa celebrations after winning.
Since then, every Marathi household welcomes the New Year with a Gudi Padwa celebration. People begin their days on the occasion of Gudi Padwa by eating bittersweet neem leaves, which strengthen the body and purify the blood. The auspicious day of Gudi Padwa is also regarded favourably for Vaastu puja, purchasing gold, a new car, or starting a new business.
History of Gudi Padva
According to the Brahma Purana, one of Hinduism’s most revered holy books, Lord Brahma killed the whole human race during a violent flood that stopped time as we know it and wiped out all life on Earth. The Satyug (the age of truth and justice) started on Gudi Padva when the time was reset.
As a result, on this day, they worship Lord Brahma. In remembrance of Lord Rama’s coronation, the “Brahmadhvaj” or “the flag of Brahma” (as the Gudi is also known) is raised.
In remembrance of the Gudi that was flown as a victory flag in Ayodhya, the Gudi is raised at the front door of the home. Gudi Padwa 2023 Additionally, it is thought that this day commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over King Bali. This celebration has additional meaning for the people of Maharashtra.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the illustrious head of the Maratha clan, is thought to have led the army to victory and secured the kingdom’s liberation from the Mughals’ rule in that region. The Gudi is a representation of success and wealth in such cases. Gudi Padwa 2023 The Gudi is hoisted outside the dwelling in an effort to ward off any negative energies and make room for luck and prosperity.
Celebration and Belief
The Gudi is created by buying a silken fabric in a vibrant green or yellow with zari brocade on it and tying it to a long bamboo stalk. Neem leaves, gathi (a Maharashtrian sweet dish), a garland of red or yellow flowers, and a twig with mango leaves are then tied on top of the cloth. Gudi Padwa 2023 A silver or copper pot is placed upside down on top of the ornamented stick.
The Gudi is set up either outside the window or at the gate. One of the most well-known and distinctly Indian ways to decorate the home for auspicious Hindu holidays is with rangoli. Using powdered colour, flowers, and petals, an elaborate Rangoli is created and placed on the ground surrounding the Gudi.
They put on new clothes, take a holy bath in the river, and go to the temple to pray to God before they start their day. Women decorate their hair with a garland of mogra flowers while donning a nine-yard saree. Along with a saffron hat, the males dress in the customary kurta pyjamas.
During this day, women prepare delicacies like Aambe Daal and Sunth Paak, as well as desserts like Puran Poli and Shrikhand, which the entire family enjoys. Neem leaves are used to make a bitter-sweet prasad for Gudi Padwa that also contains jaggery. It represents the journey of life with its fair share of happiness and sadness, and it is prepared in every Marathi home.
The most significant ceremony of this festival is the raising of the Gudi. After it is constructed, Lord Brahma is prayed to. Gudi Padwa 2023 At this point, the community gathers to participate in a specific ritual that involves smashing a coconut held in the Gudi by having only men and teenage boys create a human pyramid. One man or youngster climbs this structure in order to break the fruit.
The consumption of Neem leaves is another unusual tradition that is practised throughout the festivities. These can either be consumed raw or mashed into a paste and combined with jiggery and certain seeds in a specific dish. Gudi Padwa 2023 The purpose of this tradition is to signal the start of the festivities. In portions of Western and Southern India, as well as some of East India, the festival of Gudi Padwa is observed with great passion.
In West Bengal, it is referred to as Poila Baisakh, while it is known as Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Yugadi in Karnataka, and Bihu in Assam. Sansar Padvo and Cheti Chand, respectively, are the names under which other groups, such as the Sindhis and Konkanis, celebrate it.
A few traditions are also regularly followed, such as the practice of eating neem leaf paste made with jaggery. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka specifically carry out this. Gudi Padwa 2023 Due to the fact that Maharashtra is where the primary Gudi Padwa celebration is held, the celebrants’ clothing, particularly the women’s outfits, is quite typical of the area. Gudi Padwa 2023 The saree is draped so that the bottom half resembles dhoti pants rather than a lengthy skirt. The colour of the saree can range from a variety of vibrant hues.
The borders of the sarees are typically embellished with gold, while the rest of the fabric is typically plain, or without any patterns. Gudi Padwa 2023 A bun of hair styled with mogra flowers and an exquisite gold nose pin completes this look’s accessories. A single decorative chain is pinned up with the hair and hangs from the earrings, which are likewise made of gold.
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