Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus, but is also celebrated by other Hindus as well. It is celebrated in and around Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on the first day of the Chaitra month, to mark the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu_calendar. Padava or paadvo comes from the Sanskrit word pratipada, which is the first day of a lunar fortnight. Gudi Padwa gets its name from two words - ‘gudi’, which means a flag or emblem of Lord Brahma and ‘padwa’ means the first day of the phase of the moon.
Gudi Padwa Celebration
Observed with colourful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudi dvaja (a saree or Gudi Vastra garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, sugar crystal garland called gathi, topped with upturned silver or copper vessels), street processions, dancing, and festive foods.
On the day of Gudi Padwa people wake up early in the morning, clean their houses, take a bath and decorate their front gate with beautiful rangoli designs and Gudi - which is made up of a piece of fresh cloth.
Everyone wears new traditional attire. Especially, the women folk dress very beautifully in their traditional clothes which mainly include Paithani and Nauvari sarees.
The Gudi is worshipped by people to mark their new year and delicious spread is prepared from Puran Poli to Shrikhand to be enjoyed with family and friends. It is also customary to eat tender leaves of Neem and Mishri on the very first day of Samvatsara. Other rice recipes like vangi bhaat, bhaat with sev and bahala bhaat and ole vatanyache masala bhaat are other delectable options.
Gudi Padwa 2023 Date and Time (India)
Gudi Padwa Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 10:52 PM pn Mar 21, 2023
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 08:20 PM pn Mar 22, 2023
Year: Marathi Shaka Samvata 1945 Begins
