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Gudi Padwa - Also well-known as Maharashtrians New Year
It is celebrated by the Maharashtrians and by the Konkani Hindus
According to the Hindu calendar it is the beginning of the New Year; the month of Chaitra
Significance
Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the 1st day of the new year in the holy month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar. Hindus consider this as the most holy day of the year. This makes the beginning of the New Yeas for the Maharashtrians and for the Konkani Hindus. In the Brahma Puran this day is declared as the New Year because Brahma created the universe on this day. Therefore this day is devoted to Lord Brahma and he is worshiped on this day. Along with Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu also had incarnated as a fish on this day. This day is celebrated as New Year in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in India.
In Maharashtra it is called as Gudi Padwa but in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh it is called as Ugadi. Gudi Padwa is considered as one of the "Sade teen Muhurt" that is the most fortunate day of the New Year. People believe that starting any new venture on this day brings good luck, so most of the people do new things on this day. Some also believe that buying gold on this day is very auspicious so the gold shop is crowed for the whole day on Gudi Padwa.
Celebration of Gudi Padwa
On this day there are Gudi hanging outside the windows or on the top of the main door. This is a banner which holds a copper pot positioned upside down, which has a swastika marked on it and a red or yellow color cloth as Sari. This is tied to a very long bamboo with sugar crystal know as 'gathi', neem leaves, red flowers and a stem of mango leaves on it. This Gudi is hoisted outside window, terrace or on a high position of the main entrance. This is placed such that all can see this easily.
Importance of this Gudi
Gudi is a symbol for Brahmadhvaj that is Brahma's flag which is clearly mentioned in the Brahma Puran and sometime it is also represented as Indradhvaj that is Indra's flag.
Legendary say that Gudi also symbolizes victory of lord Rama and the pleasure of returning back to Ayodhya. This victory is also held high, so it also has a flag.
The Hindus strongly believe that Gudi is the end of evil and brings prosperity, wealth, and good luck in ones house.
Traditional food
Gudi Padwa is a very auspicious festival in Hindu religion so there are varieties of cuisines prepared on this day. The tradition foods made on this day are as follows Kachori, pooran poli, moong misal, mango shrikhand, dry fruit chikki, panna, sprouted chana usal and Gulab jammun. All these dishes are very easy to cook.
This festival is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm all over Maharashtra, Karnataka and in Andhra Pradesh. People decorate their main door with torans in order to welcome prosperity and happiness for the entire year.
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