Detailed Information about Gudi Padwa Festival & Its Importance

The India from every corner of the country we find festivals that come up time to time reminding us about the wonderful culture and the richness of the traditions in the different communities of the people from these states. From the state of Maharashtra comes yet another festival called Gudi Padava which is the Marathi New Year. The Gudi Padwa is celebrated on Shuddha Pratipada, the first day the in the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar that coincides with the months of March-April according to the Gregorian calendar and the celebration lasts for the three and half days.

The myth associated with the festival is that on this particular day lord Brahma the creator is said to9 have created the universe and also the day marks the beginning of the Satayauga or the era of truth as it is also remembered as a day when the mythological character returns to his home in the city of Ayodhya after killing the ten headed demon Ravana. The day also marks the beginning of the spring time.

During this time there is tradition in the whole of Maharashtra to hang the traditional flags that are called the "Gudis". During this time at the front door that Gudis are hung that are a symbol of the happiness, the prosperity and victory for the coming year. The flags are also called the "Brahmadhawaj" representing Lord Brahma. The pole on which the flag is hung is topped with an inverted small pot called "kalash". Then a small green or yellow colored silk cloth is tided on the pole and decorated with the nuts and sweets that are hung alongside the cloth. The gudis are tied early morning and is then removed at the sunset the gudis are removed.

The people begin the day of the Gudi Padwa by taking the ceremonial bath in the early hours before taking food and then wear new clothes to mark their entry into the New Year. The women clean their houses and decorate with flowers and the lights. The wonderful designs are created in the front of the house using the vibrant colors.

The Gudi Padwa are a time of plenty of plenty of the feasts and the people cook wonderful dishes at home and also invite guests to their homes. There is a tradition among the people here to eat tamarind, ajwain, neem leaves and other such things that are believed to have the blood purifying properties and that help in increasing the body's immune system. The delicacies like the jalebies, the sweet chapatti or the puran poli, basundis, pooris etc are also cooked and enjoy sitting together with the family members.

The people consider the moment as an auspicious one and also buy gold, silver ornaments on this day. The people of the business line make new investments on this day whereas the farmers take plough their fields on this day in hope of better agricultural produce from their fields in that year.