By: Surinder Jain.
Gudi Padwa is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India, particularly in Maharashtra, to mark the beginning of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar. The festival usually falls in March or April and is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month, which is the first month of the Hindu Panchangam calendar. This year, Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on April 9, 2024[2].
The significance of Gudi Padwa lies in its association with the creation of the universe. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, recreated the world after the deluge or Pralaya on this day, marking the beginning of the calendar and the initiation of Sat-yuga[3]. Another legend associates Gudi Padwa with the return of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, to his kingdom after defeating Ravana and completing his 14-year exile[2].
Gudi Padwa is also a celebration of the victory of King Shivaji over the Mughals in the 17th century. The tradition of hoisting a Gudi flag, which is a flag-like structure made of bamboo, silk, and cloth, decorated with flowers, neem leaves, and a copper or silver pot, symbolizes this victory[2].
Traditional foods prepared during Gudi Padwa include dishes like puran poli, shrikhand, and modak. These dishes are exchanged with friends and relatives[2]. Here are some of the traditional dishes prepared during the Gudi Padwa festival:
Sweet Dishes:
– Puran Poli – A sweet flatbread stuffed with a filling made of chana dal, jaggery, and coconut[1][4]
– Shrikhand – A thick, creamy yogurt-based sweet flavored with cardamom and saffron[1][4]
– Modak – Sweet dumplings stuffed with coconut and jaggery[4]
– Rava Ladoo – Sweet balls made from semolina, ghee, and sugar syrup[1]
– Sabudana Kheer – A pudding made with sago pearls, milk, sugar, and cardamom[1][3]
Savory Snacks:
– Kothimbir Vadi – Savory steamed dumplings made with gram flour, cilantro, and spices[4]
– Sabudana Vada – Crispy fritters made from soaked sago pearls[1]
– Medu Vada – Lentil fritters[2]
Main Dishes:
– Vangi Bath – A rice dish with brinjal (eggplant), spices, and coconut[2]
– Masale Bhat – A spiced rice dish[4]
– Puri Bhaji – Puris (fried bread) served with a potato curry[4]
Other Dishes:
– Gajarachi Koshimbir – A carrot salad with peanuts and coconut[3]
– Daalichi Amti – A sweet, sour, and spicy lentil stew[3]
– Aam Panna – A refreshing raw mango drink[1]
These dishes are commonly prepared and enjoyed during Gudi Padwa celebrations, especially in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other parts of India[1][2][3][4].
Rituals and customs associated with Gudi Padwa include cleaning and decorating homes, hoisting the Gudi flag, visiting temples to seek blessings, and offering prayers. People also wear new clothes and exchange sweets and gifts with family and friends[2]. Here are some of the key rituals associated with the Gudi Padwa festival:
- Taking a ritualistic oil bath: People wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath by applying oil to their body. This ritual signifies purification and readiness for the day’s celebrations235.
- Decorating homes: Homes are decorated with rangoli designs made with vibrant colors, flowers, and mango leaves. This creates a festive ambiance235.
- Worshipping Lord Brahma: One of the main rituals is offering prayers and bhog prasad (sacred food offering) to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, as it is believed he initiated creation on this day35.
- Hoisting the Gudi: The most significant ritual is the hoisting of the Gudi, a bright cloth tied to a bamboo stick along with neem leaves, mango leaves, and a decorative pot. The Gudi is a symbol of victory and is believed to ward off evil spirits1235.
- Panchang Shravan: Listening to the Hindu almanac (Panchang) which charts the auspicious and inauspicious events for the coming year is considered a sacred ritual2.
- Havan and Yajna: Some devotees perform a sacred fire ritual called Havan or Yajna as part of the celebrations35.
- Distributing Prasad: At the end of the rituals, gram lentils, cumin seeds, and other prasad (sacred food) are distributed among neighbors and loved ones, signifying communal harmony35.
- Wearing new clothes: People wear new traditional attire like the Nauvari saree for women and kurta-pajama for men to honor the cultural heritage3.
These rituals are deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions.
Gudi Padwa is celebrated with enthusiasm in Maharashtra and Goa. It is a regional Hindu festival that is mostly celebrated by the people of Maharashtra and Goa[6].
Anyone can join the celebrations of Gudi Padwa, as it is an inclusive festival. In Australia, you can find local celebrations by checking with Indian cultural associations or Hindu temples in cities with significant Indian populations, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth[2].
Citations:
[1] https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/gudi-padwa-recipes/
[2] https://www.cnbctv18.com/lifestyle/gudi-padwa-how-and-why-it-is-celebrated-16200351.htm
[3] https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/magazine-the-story-behind-why-gudipadwa-is-celebrated/
[4] https://www.whiskaffair.com/category/recipes/festival-recipes/gudi-padwa/
[5] https://www.prokerala.com/festivals/gudi-padwa.html
[6] https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/gudi-padwa-2024-date-history-significance-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-festival-celebrated-in-maharashtra-101712490468437.html
[7] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/gudi-padwa
[8] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/gudi-padwa-2024-date-time-rituals-history-and-significance/articleshow/109122157.cms
[9] https://www.fnp.com/article/gudi-padwa-marathi-new-year
[10] https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/gudi-padwa-2024-why-is-the-festival-celebrated-know-its-history-and-significance-5403707
[11] https://www.india-tours.com/fairs-and-festivals/gudi-padwa-festival-india.html
[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gudi_Padwa
[13] https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/india/gudi-padwa
[14] https://kidsstoppress.com/tell-your-children-the-story-behind-gudi-padwa/
[15] https://thefeedfeed.com/prajakta_bh/gudi-padwa-feast
[16] https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/ring-in-gudi-padwa-with-food-galore-101648452056950.html
[17] https://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/gudi-padwa/gudi-padwa-date-time.html
[18] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/gudi-padwa-2021-authentic-marathi-recipes-for-gudi-padwa/photostory/74799935.cms
[19] https://www.vanderbilt.edu/diversity/ugadi-gudi-padwa/
[20] https://zeezest.com/amp/web-stories/gudi-padwa-special-food-that-you-should-definitely-try-173
