Gudipadvyachya Hardik Shubhechha.

Gudipadvyachya Hardik Shubhechha., a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

Soneri suryachi soneri kirne,
Soneri kirnancha soneri diwas..
Soneri diwasachya Soneri Shubhechha!
Gudipadvyachya Hardik Shubhechha.



Naxidar kathivari Reshmi vastr,
Tyachyavar chandicha lota,
ubharuni Marathi manachi GUDHI,
Sajra karuya ha Gudhipadwa!
Nutan Varshachya Hardik Shubheccha!


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.


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 Kerala[citation needed]
Nav Varsha Samvat among the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh[citation needed]

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

Nau Roz in Kashmir
Yugadi in Karnataka
Baisakhi in Punjab
Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people)[citation needed]
Goru Bihu in Assam
Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and
Yugadi in Andhra Pradesh
Vishu in Kerala.


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]

Dombivli:- the city that pioneered Shobha Yatra for Gudi Padwa 13 years ago, is proud of the socio-cultural context the procession has attained "Shobh yatra"


On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.

Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the festivities by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree. Sometimes, a paste of neem leaves is prepared and mixed with dhane, gul/gur (known as jaggery in English), and tamarind. All the members of the family consume this paste, which is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.

Maharashtrian families also make shrikhand and Poori on this day. Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer, a variety of Kheer made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. and Sannas.
[edit] See also