Know The Meaning And Significance Of Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is a popular cultural festival of Maharashtra celebrated during the spring season. This festival marks the beginning of a new year for Hindus in Maharashtra. It is also the onset of the harvest season and reaping of the Rabi crops in the state. Gudi Padwa coincides with Chaitra Navratri that is widely celebrated in North India. This year, Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on April 9, 2024.

How It Is Celebrated

People in Maharashtra celebrate Gudi Padwa with immense enthusiasm. They decorate their houses, make rangolis, wear new clothes, prepare festive dishes, and get together with friends and family. One of the most auspicious ritual of this festival is to make Gudi flags. Each household makes a Gudi flag of red or yellow colour, decorates it with flowers, mangoes and neem leaves. On the top of the flag, a vessel made of silver or copper is placed upside down as the finishing touch. The Gudi flag signifies achievements and victory over evil and hence it becomes a symbol of prosperity and luck for the family.

The festival is also famous for the cuisines that are prepared on this day. Families cook dishes of various types and flavours with neem leaves and jaggery as one of the main ingredients. Dishes like Sakkar Bhat, Shrikhand and Puri and Puran Poli among others are famous on this festival.

The Story Behind Gudi Padwa

It is believed that on the day of Gudi Padwa, Lord Brahma created the Universe on the commands of Goddess Durga. This is also the reason why Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Durga and this festive day is celebrated as new year by all the Hindus in India. Hindus in Andhra Pradesh mark this day by celebrating Ugadi.

There is another legend that backs the significance of Gudi Padwa. This festival is dedicated to the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana and his coronation as the king of Ayodhya. It is also important to note here that the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navmi, the birthday of Lord Rama.