Gudi Padwa Ram Mandir Bandra Bazar Road

Gudi Padwa Ram Mandir Bandra Bazar Road, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Gudi Padwa or Gudhi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा often mis-pronounced as guDi padwa because ढी sounds like डी while speaking) is the Marathi name for the Hindu holy day 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.


Known as Gudhi Padwa in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as[1]

* Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa[2]
* Yugadi among the rest of Konkani diaspora in Karnataka and Ugadi in Andhra pradesh[citation needed]

In other parts of India[1] this festival is celebrated during

* Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh
* Yugadi in Karnataka
* Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people


The word padwa is derived from the Sanskrit word Pratipada[citation needed] 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[citation needed] which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.
See also: Balipratipada


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[citation needed], 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:

* Gudhi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj (translation: Brahma’s flag) mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj (translation: the flag of Indra).[3]
* Mythologically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.[3]
* Maharashtrians also see the Gudhi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It also symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana over Sakas and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.[3]
* Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.[3]

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]
[edit] Festivities