How to do a Gudi Padwa Puja at Home?

Celebrate the festival of Gudi Padwa with great joy and fervour. Find out how to do the Gudi Padwa puja at home.Gudi Padwa is an important festival celebrated in various parts of Maharashtra. It is primarily a harvest festival celebrated to mark the arrival of the new crop season. It is also celebrated in some parts of Karnataka, etc. The festival is known as Ugadi in Karnataka and as Cheti Chand in the north by Sindhis. Here are the rituals and ways of conducting a Gudi Padwa Puja at home. In this articleEarly Morning BathMorning PrayerGudi Padwa RitualsHoisting the GudiHoly PrasadHow is Puja done of the Day of Gudi Padwa?Here is how Puja is done of the occasion of Gudi Padwa.Early Morning BathPeople get up early in the morning before sunrise and have an oil bath. Gudi Padwa marks the start of the New Year for Maharashtrians. Hence, it is auspicious to start the day with a bath after rubbing some oil. Everybody in the family wakes up early in the morning, bathes and dons some new clothes. People in the villages wash the courtyards after taking bath and plaster cow dung. Having an oil bath and eating Margosa (Neem) leaves are two important rituals which are mandatory.Morning PrayerAfter the morning bath, people light the lamp and offer prayers to the deity at home. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are also worshipped by some on this day. Flowers are offered to the deity at home. A beautiful Rangoli is drawn by the women of the house who usually wake up earlier than men. In modern times, people use flowers also to decorate the Rangoli along with the colors. People light diyas or incense sticks in front of the deity. People place the Panchang (New calendar) in front of God and also keep some money.Gudi Padwa RitualsPeople hang a Toran made of mango leaves on the front door. You can also make use of marigold flowers if you do not get mango leaves. One should also decorate the doorsteps with red flowers because red is an auspicious colour. Rangolis with a swastika design are drawn. Rice powder, vermillion and turmeric are used to draw the Rangoli. People prepare Shreekhand on this day which is eaten with hot puris. A little bit should also be served to the deity at home. Hoisting the GudiTake a medium-length bamboo stick and tie a yellow, green or saffron cloth at the very tip. The cloth should ideally have golden brocade as border. Next, take a clean copper or bronze pot and place it upside down over the cloth at the top. This Gudi should then be hoisted at the doorway in a prominent position such that everybody can see it. The festivities begin early in the morning and the Gudi is worshipped five to ten minutes after sunrise.Holy PrasadLike we all know, life is a great combination of good and bad. We all have to accept the bitter along with the good. Hence, the occasion of Gudi Padwa is celebrated by making sweets along with a taste of bitterness. Margosa (Neem) leaves are added with the jaggery to prepare sweet dishes unlike other festivals where only sweet dishes are made. This is in order to remind people that life comprises of both bitter and sweet moments.Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the New Year, hence people pray for health, wealth and happiness on this day. One can also visit a nearby temple to pray for prosperity and happiness. People light lamps to usher in the Marathi New Year. A Lezim show is held at many places in the evening for entertainment. People also remember the great warrior and king of Maharashtra - Shivaji Maharaj on this day.How to do Puja on the day of Gudi Padwa? Which sweets are prepared on the occasion of Gudi Padwa? What is the significance of Gudi Padwa? Discuss here.