Gudi Padwa 2023 is the celebration of the Maharashtrian New Year. In the South Indian states, this day is celebrate as the harvest day which marks the beginning of the spring season.
The day is celebrate all over India but with different names, cultural beliefs and celebrations. Various rituals are perform on this day which starts at sunrise and continues throughout the day.
When is Gudi Padwa 2023?
This regional Indian holiday is the Traditional New Year for Marathi Hindus. It also marks the beginning of the civil year among Hindus, especially in the central Indian states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Gudi Padwa, also known as Gudi Padva, is celebrate on the first day of Chaitra. This means that it usually falls in late March or early April in the Gregorian calendar and is usually held on the same day as Cheti Chand in Gujarat and Ugadi, celebrate as the Telugu and Kannada New Year in the Deccan region of India.
The Tradition of Gudi Padwa?
Many observe the day by hosting a special Gudhi flag consisting of a silk banner garlanded with flowers and leaves and topped with an inverted drinking pot. Gudhi is display from windows, roofs or trees.
Gudhi is say to represent the flag of Brahma as mention in the ancient Hindu text Brahma Purana, as according to religious tradition Lord Brahma create time and the universe on this day. It is generally consider a symbol of good fortune, warding off evil and bringing prosperity.
On Gudi Padwa, it is customary to visit friends and family, do some spring cleaning, and dress up in new clothes.
Gudi Padwa comes during the spring season and is mainly celebrate in the states of Maharastra or Goa. This day marks the beginning of the new year in Maharashtra. Gudi Padwa falls in the month of Chaitra, the first month of the new year of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
Padwa is basically the Sanskrit term for Pratipada, the first day of the lunar month. People make rangolis, prepare sweet food and decorate their houses. So when the pratipada tithi prevails, it marks the beginning of a new year for the people of Maharastra. This festival is also celebrated in the southern states of India like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh where it is commonly known as Ugadi.
This Marathi New Year is welcomed with immense joy and delight. So before we enter the new year, let’s find out the meaning and rituals behind its celebration. To know in detail, read it in full.
Date and Time 2023: When will it be celebrated?
Gudi Padwa 2023 Date: Wednesday 22 March 2023
Timing of Gudi Padwa:
- Pratipada Tithi Start: March 21, 2023 at 10:52 PM
- Pratipada Tithi Ends: on March 22, 2023, at 8:20 PM
Celebrating Gudi Padwa 2023 in Maharashtra?
On this occasion, the people of Maharashtra hoist the flag on the terrace, which is an important part of the celebrations and is also know as Gudi. Each house is decorate with numerous Gudhis. This process involves a piece of cloth tied to the top of a bamboo pole. Along with this, she is drape with mango leaves, flowers and garland. A silver, bronze or copper pot (handi or Kalash) symbolizes victory, or each is place at the top of the arrangement.
This flag is raise in every house and points in the right direction. It should be clearly visible to other people as well. In the rural area, people start the procession with the Gudhi Kavad group and end at the nearby Lord Shiva temple.
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What is the significance of the Gudi Padwa Festival?
Gudi Padwa not only marks the beginning of the spring season but also gives a nod to the harvest time of Rabi crops. In addition, it also commemorates the time when the Hindu Lord Brahma created the universe and the world. Some people also believe that it commemorates Rama’s coronation for his victory over the cruel Ravana or the launching of the Shalivahan calendar after defeating the Hunas in the 1st century.
In the rural areas of Maharashtra, people believe that it is associated with the dance of Lord Shiva. Hence they form a group to bring the Gudhi Kavads to the Lord Shiva temple. So we can say that Gudi Padwa has absolute importance in Maharastra as well as in southern parts of India.
What are the rituals associated with Gudi Padwa?
- On this occasion, people clean their houses and decorate them with cow cakes on festive days.
- Mostly young girls create intricate colourful rangoli designs outside their homes or at the main entrance.
- People organize meetings in new and tidy clothes. Families traditionally cook a particular dish using different flavours.
- Some also prepare Pachadi recipes and serve them during the Ugadi festival.
- People consume it because there is a belief that its neem-based mixture is quite beneficial for an individual’s health.
- On this day, Maharashtrian families prepare a variety of other festive dishes such as shrikhand and Poori or Puran Poli.
Conclusion
This Gudi Padwa 2023 has enabled us to bring happiness and joy everywhere. May this Marathi New Year bring you wealth and prosperity? We send lots of love and wishes to you and your family on this auspicious occasion.
