| Gudhi Padwa | |
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A Gudhi is erected on Gudhi Padwa |
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| Official name | Gudhi Padwa or Samvatsar Padvo |
| Observed by | Marathi Hindus, Konkanis |
| Type | Hindu lunar new year's Day |
| Begins | Chaitra |
| Date | March/ April |
| 2012 date | March 23 |
| Celebrations | 1 day |
| Related to | Hindu calendar |
Gudi Padwa or Gudhi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा, often mis-pronounced as guDi padwa because ढी sounds like डी when spoken), is the Marathi name for the Hindu holiday of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.[1] It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. It is theorized that Padwa is the origin of the term "Pagwah", a synonymous title used in Guyana and Trinidad for Holi.
The word पाडवा (pāḍavā) originated from the Kannada word ಪಾಡ್ಯೆ (pāḍye) which stands for the first day of the bright phase of the moon called प्रतिपदा (pratipadā) in Sanskrit. Konkani Hindus refer to the day as संसार पाड्यॆ (saṁsāra pāḍye), संसार (saṁsāra) being a corruption of the word संवत्सर (saṁvatsara). Konkani Hindus in Karnataka also refer to it as उगादि (ugādi).
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Known as Gudhi Padwa in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as[1]
In other parts of India[1] this festival is celebrated during
The word padwa is derived from the Sanskrit word Pratipada for first day of a lunar month i.e. first day after new moon day (Amavasya). A Gudhi is also erected on this occasion giving this festival its name. The term padwa or padavo is also associated with Balipratipada the third day of Diwali which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.
Being the first day of the first month of a year, Gudhi Padwa is the New Year's Day for Marathi people.
India is a predominantly agrarian society. Thus celebrations and festivals are often linked to the turn of the season and to the sowing and reaping of crops. This day marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one. In this context, the Gudhi Padwa is celebrated at the end of the Rabi season.
Gudhi Padwa is one of the Sade-Teen Muhurtas (translation from Marathi: 3 and a half auspicious dates) in the Indian Lunar calendar. The full list is as follows
This day also commemorates the commencement of the Shalivahana calendar after he defeated hunas in battle.[5]
According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world after the deluge and time began to tick from this day forth.[5]
On this day, the sun assumes a position above the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians. According to the Hindu calendar, this marks the commencement of the Vasanta ritu or the spring season.[5]
On Gudi Padwa, a gudi is found hanging out of a window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households. Gudi is a bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gathi (sugar crystals), neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. This gudi is then hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.
Some of the significances attributed to raising a Gudhi are as follows:
The Gudhi is positioned on the right side of the main entrance of the house. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul.[1]
On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.
Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the festivities by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree. Sometimes, a paste of neem leaves is prepared and mixed with dhane, gul/gur (known as jaggery in English), and tamarind. All the members of the family consume this paste, which is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.
Maharashtrian families also make shrikhand and Poori on this day. Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer, a variety of Kheer made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. and Sannas.
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