Gudi Padwa 2024: Date, Significance and Rituals of Marathi New Year

The famous Indian festival, celebrated as the Gudi Padwa, marks the Marathi New Year on the Hindu Calendar. Observed on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunisolar Calendar, Gudi Padwa falls on Chaitra Shuddha Padyami, i.e., on the first day (Pratipada tithi) of Shukla paksha in the month of Chaitra. The word ‘Padwa’ is derived from the word Pratipada. Chaitradi (chaitra-aadi) signifies 'beginning with Chaitra' and denotes a calendar system that considers the Hindu month of Chaitra as the beginning of a new year.

Gudi Padwa 2024 is on April 09, Tuesday

Known and celebrated under different names across the country, Gudi Padwa is observed as the traditional Indian new year as per the Indian lunisolar Amanta (amavasyant) calendar.

In Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, Telugu people and Kannadigas celebrate Gudi Padwa as Ugadi or Yugadi. In Gujarat, the Sindhi Hindus celebrate this festival as Cheti Chand. This festival goes by the name of Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, and Baisakhi in Punjab, while it comes to be known as Thapna in Rajasthan and Sajubu Nongma Padwa in Manipur.

When is Gudi Padwa celebrated?

According to the Hindu calendar, Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the bright phase, or the shukla paksha of the moon, in the Hindu month of Chaitra. In correspondence with the Gregorian calendar, this festival falls around March and April every year. In 2023, Gudi Padwa is celebrated on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Gudi Padwa marks the arrival of the Spring season (Vasant Ritu), and the farming community, especially in Maharashtra and Goa, celebrates Gudi Padwa as their harvest festival. Many Indian calendars have adopted the Chitradi year cycle. All the states following this system celebrate this festival under different names on the first day or the Pratipada tithi of Chaitra month.

Significance of the Gudi Padwa festival

Gudi Padwa is one of the most important harvesting seasons in India. As it marks the end of Rabi season, Gudi Padwa is symbolic of the beginning of Kharif. The Sun is placed in the house of the first zodiac, Aries at this time of the year. According to mythology, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. The festivities of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri also commences on this day.

A 'gudi' is symbolic of victory. According to Marathi history, Chhatrapati Shivaji and his forces won over foreign infiltrators and hoisted a 'gudhi' as a symbol of victory.

The story of Gudi is associated to the Brahma Purana that speaks of it as the 'flag' of Lord Brahma that was placed after He created the world. In many historical tales, 'gudi' is also associated with the return of happiness when Lord Rama came back to his kingdom after completing fourteen years of exile.

Important Timings On Gudi Padwa 2024

Gudi Padwa Rituals

In Maharashtra, a traditional 'gudi,' or a flag is placed in every local household. The ‘gudi’ is a long bamboo stick adorned with a beautiful green or yellow cloth ornamented with brocade work along its borders. An inverted copper pot, some neem leaves, mango leaves, a handful bunch of red flowers and sugar crystals are placed on top of the ‘gudi’ as part of tradition. This is generally placed along the right side of the house; usually on a window or the terrace of a house is the place of choice where it stands visible to everyone around. This is believed to keep all evil eye away, bringing home good fortune and prosperity.

People clean and wash their homes on this day. They decorate the household with rangoli and dress up in new clothes, share sweets and exchange Padwa wishes with each other. Feasting is an important part of Gudi Padwa festival and special dishes are prepared on this day.

People start their day with the intake of a special paste that contains neem leaf extract, tamarind and jaggery. Other dishes prepared are Shrikhand, Puran Poli, Kanangachi kheer (made of coconut, jaggery and sweet potato) and Sanna (steamed spongy rice cakes).

FAQs

1) How is the festival of Gudi Padwa different from Ugadi?

• Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year celebrated on the Pratipada Tithi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha of the Hindu Calendar. The word ‘Padwa’ is derived from the word Pratipada which means ‘first tithi’. ‘Gudi’ is a Hindu flag with a long bamboo stick adorned with a green or yellow cloth ornamented with brocade work along its borders.
• Ugadi is the Indian New Year observed especially by the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, literally translates to ‘first year’ by meaning. ‘Yug’ means ‘year or time period’ where as ‘aadi’ means ‘first, or the beginning.’

2) Why is Gudi Padwa celebrated?

Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the Shukla Paksh Pratipada of Chaitra month. As per Bhagavata Purana, Lord Vishnu is the core of the infinite universes, which is otherwise called the Multiverse. Lord Brahma, who was known to have born from a lotus that emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu, creates the cosmic universes. When the age of Lord Brahma is through, Lord Shiva destroys the universe and Lord Brahma along with it. Lord Brahma is reborn, and he creates the cosmic universe again, thus eventually creating a cycle of creation and destruction. This cycle ceases to end.

The day when Lord Brahma created the universe that we reside in is believed to be on the day of Shukla Paksha Pratipada of the Hindu Chaitra month. This day is celebrated as the festival of Gudi Padwa.