Marathi New Year

Gudi Padwa is the Maharastrian New Year. This day is celebrated on Shuddha Pratipada, the first day in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). Festivities of Gudi Padwa lasts for three and a half days. The word 'padwa' means the end of one harvesting season and beginning of another. According to Brahma Purana, Gudi Padwa is the day on which universe was created by Lord Brahma, Satyug began and Lord Ram returned Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.

Tradition of Hanging Gudis
Gudi also called Brahmadhwaj by some is a flag of Lord Brahma symbolizing joy, happiness and celebration of victory. Gudis are hung at the door of houses at the New Year time in Maharashtra. It is a pole topped with an upturned silver pot called 'Kalash'. A colorful cloth is tied and decorated with coconuts, garland of flowers and sweets. People welcome New Year by worshiping Gudi and a mixture of Neem leaves, tamarind, jaggery, ajwain and gram-pulse is eaten which tends to purify blood. At some places, Gudi is removed after sunset.

Marathi New Year Celebrations
Gudi Padwa is the most auspicious celebration for people of Maharashtra. For them, it is the moment to rejoice and follow distinctive rituals. On this day, people take early morning bath, wear new clothes, clean their houses, create beautiful Rangoli designs in front of their house. On this auspicious day, Maharashtrians perform house-warming poojas, venture into new projects and prepare delicacies like puran poli (sweet rotis), soonth pak, shrikhand, basundi, jalebis etc. Some people also buy gold and silver ornaments to bring good luck on the occasion.

New Year in Different Parts of India