It’s that time of the year again when you can entirely binge on Puran Poli all you want without feeling even a smidgen of guilt! It’s the time for the glorious occasion when you kick off your day with a good old oil bath, dress to the best, in your finest traditional attire and head out to visit all your beloved relatives only to end up eating even more amount of sweets, without fearing on gaining a nice puran poli belly the next day! It’s the time when you dance to the beats of your favourite traditional tunes. Can you guess what we’re talking about? You got it! It’s Gudi Padwa time y’all!
Gudi Padwa happens to mark the beginning of the New Year in the Hindu calendar, and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy in Maharashtra and other parts of India. The festival is also known as “Ugadi” in some parts of South India, and it is celebrated on the same day as Gudi Padwa.
There are many reasons why Gudi Padwa is celebrated, and each one of them is unique and interesting.
The start of a new year
The most obvious reason why Gudi Padwa is celebrated is that it marks the beginning of a new year in the Hindu calendar. This day is considered to be very auspicious, and people believe that whatever they do on this day will set the tone for the rest of the year. It is also believed that the Hindu god Brahma created the universe on this day.
Victory of good over evil
According to legend, Gudi Padwa commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. It is believed that after defeating Ravana and rescuing his wife Sita, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this very day. The people of Ayodhya, overjoyed at the return of their beloved prince, welcomed him with great fervour and enthusiasm.
As part of the celebrations, the people of Ayodhya hoisted a flag or “gudi” outside their homes, which symbolized the victory of good over evil. The gudi was made by tying a bright green or yellow cloth to the top of a long bamboo stick and then decorating it with neem leaves, marigold flowers, and a sugar crystal. The gudi was then hoisted outside the home, as a sign of prosperity and good luck.
Even today, the tradition of hoisting a gudi outside the home continues and is an important part of the Gudi Padwa celebrations. In addition to this, people decorate their homes with rangolis, prepare traditional delicacies, and wear new clothes to mark the auspicious occasion.
The beginning of spring
Gudi Padwa also marks the beginning of spring, which is a season of new beginnings, growth, and prosperity. The festival is celebrated at a time when the weather is pleasant, and the fields are green with crops. People decorate their homes with flowers and rangolis, and the air is filled with the aroma of traditional sweets and delicacies.
Cultural significance
Gudi Padwa is not just a religious festival, but it also has cultural significance. The festival is a time for family and friends to come together, exchange greetings and gifts, and enjoy traditional food and sweets. People wear new clothes, and there are many cultural events and performances that take place during the festival.
Now that we have explored the reasons why Gudi Padwa is celebrated, let’s look at the fun and exciting ways in which the festival is celebrated.
Gudi Making
One of the most important traditions of Gudi Padwa is the making of the gudi, which is a bamboo stick that is decorated with neem leaves, flowers, and a piece of cloth. The gudi is then hoisted outside the home, and it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the household.
Rangoli Making
Another popular tradition of Gudi Padwa is the making of rangolis, which are colourful designs made with rice flour or coloured powder. People decorate their homes with rangolis, and there are competitions held in many places to see who can make the most creative and beautiful design.
Traditional Food and Sweets
Gudi Padwa is a time for feasting and enjoying traditional food and sweets. Some of the popular dishes include puran poli, shrikhand, and modak. These dishes are made with ingredients like jaggery, coconut, and saffron, and they are a delight for the taste buds.
Cultural Events and Performances
Gudi Padwa is also a time for cultural events and performances. There are many traditional dances and gudi padwa songs that are performed during the festival, and there are also plays and dramas that are staged. These events are a great way to learn more about the culture and traditions of Maharashtra.
All of this would be incomplete if we don’t include traditional music in our celebrations! Lucky for you, Saregama has got you covered! Get ready for Gudi Padwa with the Saregama Carvaan Mini Bhakti Marathi! This compact device is packed with 351 soul-stirring Aartis, Mantras, and Bhajans that will transport you to a world of devotion and spirituality.
The Marathi Bhakti songs featured in this mini carvaan are handpicked from various artists, including the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, and Prahlad Shinde. So now you can indulge in the festive vibe by starting your mornings with the Ganapati Aarti By Lata Mangeshkar or Prabhati Sur Nabhi Rangati from Prabhat Geeten by Asha Bhosle!