Gudhipadwa Celebrations & Significance Of The Gudi

Gudhipadwa Celebrations

1. In the morning, after doing the daily routine works like cleaning, bathing, etc., Gudi is hoisted.

- People clean their houses; and in villages, houses are plastered with fresh cow-dung.

- It is mentioned in the Shastras that Taila Abhyang must be done during the Arunodaya Kaal on this day.

- Gudi must be worshiped just after the sunrise. It must not be delayed.

2. Beautiful Rangoli designs are also made with bright colors and houses are decorated with fresh flowers.

3. People dress up in new, beautiful clothes. Usually, Marathi women adorn themselves in Kastha or Nauvari (9-yard Saree tucked at the back) and men wear Kurta Pajama along with a turban, which is mostly saffron or red.

4. Families gather and greet the New Year to everyone.

5. New Year’s horoscope must also be heard on this day.

6. Traditionally, the celebration begins after having the sweetened Neem leaves as Prasad. Usually, a paste is made with Neem leaves, jaggery, tamarind, etc. It is believed that this paste purifies the blood and increases immunity. Taste of this paste signifies the course of life as sweet, sour, and bitter.

7. Delicacies are cooked like Shrikhand, Puran Poli, Kheer (sweet porridge kind of dessert usually made with sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. by Marathis), and Sanna.

8. Later in the evening, Lezim is performed by the people.

How To Raise Gudi

1. The area must be cleaned properly where the Gudi will be placed.

2. A Swastika should be made on the ground below the Gudi.

3. A Swastika should be made on the ground below the Gudi.

About Gudhi Padwa

Gudipadva has several names as per the different regions in India.

1. Samvatsar Padvo is celebrated among Konkanis of Goa and Kerala. 

2. Rest of the Konkani diaspora in Karnataka know it as Yugadi.

3. People from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrate Ugadi.

Ugadi Celebration

4. Kashmiris celebrate it as Navreh.

5. Sajibu Nongma Pānba or Meetei Cheiraoba is celebrated in Manipur.

6. Chaitra Navratri begins from this day for North Indians.

On this day, Marathis hoist the Gudi. That is why this festival is known as Gudi Padava. Gudi is made on a bamboo stick by placing an inverted Kalash of silver, copper, or bronze over it and adorning the bamboo with a beautiful cloth (usually, it is of saffron color and made of silk with brocaded borders). The Gudi is then adorned with Gaathi (sugar crystals garland), Neem leaves, a mango twig, and red-flower garland.

The Gudi is hoisted at a higher place like terrace in home so that it is quite visible to everyone. Many people also stick it on their windows or the right side of their doors.

Significance Of The Gudi

Many beliefs are associated with Gudhi Padva. Some of them are mentioned below:

1. People hoisted Gudi in history when their King Shalivahana defeated Sakas and came back to Paithan, as it is considered as the symbol of victory.

2. Some people also hoist Gudi to commemorate the victories of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

3. As it is believed by some that Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, Gudi is also believed to be the Brahma Dhwaj (Lord Brahma’s flag). Some people also consider it as Indra Dhwaj (flag of Lord Indra). Hence, for some, it is also the beginning of the spring season.

4. Some people also hoist Gudi as the symbol of the Lord Rama’s return to the Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

5. Usually, it is believed that hoisting Gudi brings prosperity in life.

6. Gudi is also known as Dharma Dhwaj to many and its each part has a meaning. The inverted pot is considered as the head and stick is considered to be spine (as bamboo has the vertebrae, just like human spine).

7. For farmers, Gudhipadva is celebrated as the end of Rabi crop season and the beginning of the new harvest season. They plough their fields on this day to ensure a good harvest throughout the year.

8. Gudipadava is one of the most auspicious Sadhe Teen Muhurats (3 and a half most auspicious days) of Hindus. These Sade Teen Muhurats are Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudi Padawa), Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya (Akshay Tritya), Ashwin Shukla Dashami (Dussehra), and half Muhurat is considered on Kartik Shukla Pratipada (Diwali). Being quite auspicious, many people start new ventures and investments on this day.
Chaitra Navratri 2015 - 2016 Dates(Hindu New Year)
How to Perform or Observe Navratri Vrat and Puja Vidhi?
Nine Goddesses of Navratri
Significance of Navratri
Navratri Puja Vidhi Hindi Method with Ghatasthapana?
The Nav Samvat begins on April 8-2016
Gudipadwa Muhurat Marathi Vikram Samvat 2073 Begins

Story of Navratri and Durga Puja