GudiPadwawillbecelebratedon23rdMarchintheyear2012.GudiPadwaisconsideredasoneofthemostimportantdaysbyHindus.FindmoreaboutthesignificanceofandritualsassociatedwithGudiPadwafestival.GudiPadwaistheMarathinameforfestival-“ChaitraShuklaPratipada”.ItiscelebratedtowelcometheHinduNewYearwhichfallsonthefirstdayof“Chaitra”monthaspertheHinducalendar.In2012,GudiPadwafallson23rdofMarch.GudiPadwaalsomarksthedescentofthespringseason.Hence,thisisacolourfulfestivalwhichiscelebratedalloverIndiawithgreatpompandshow.GudiPadwafestivalisalsocelebratedasUgadiinKarnataka.GudiPadwacelebrationsbeginbeforesunrisewhenpeopletaketheauspiciousoilbath.Housesaredecoratedwithmangoleavesandredflowerswhichareconsideredfavorableforthisoccasion.AfterworshippingLordBrahmathe“Gudi”ishoisted.OnthisdayitisbelievedthatBrahmacreatedtheuniverseoutofchaos.InthisarticleImportanceofGudiPadwaLegendsAssociatedwithGudiPadwaRitualsAssociatedwithGudiPadwaFoodforGudiPadwaCelebrationImportanceofGudiPadwaOnGudiPadwadaypeoplefirstworshipLordBrahmaafterwhichtheGudiishoisted.NextLordVishnuisinvokedwithaviewtoseekhisblessings.Thereareanumberofmythologicaltalessurroundingthisfestival.ItisbelievedthatLordRamareturnedtoAyodhyaafterslayingRavanaandhisalliesonGudiPadwaday.Therefore,peopleofAyodhyastartedcelebratingthisdayasthebeginningofanewera.HistoryalsohasitthatthepurposeofhoistingtheGudiistocommemoratethenumerousvictoriesofShivajiMaharaj.TheGudiisconsideredtobeavictoryflagorasymbolofvictory.Gudiisadornedwithmangoleaves,ayellowsilkcloth,garlandsandredflowerswhichareconsideredauspicious.“Rangolis”aremadeattheentranceofthehousesandaroundtheGudi.LegendsAssociatedwithGudiPadwaThereareanumberoflegendsregardingtheoriginofGudiPadwa.AsmentionedearlierthemostpopularbeliefisthatLordBrahmacreatedtheuniverseonthisday.AccordingtoanotherlegendonthisdayKingValiwaskilledbyLordRama.LordVishnuissaidtohaveincarnatedthefishor“Matsya”onGudiPadwaday.InWesternIndiamostpeoplebelievethatthisfestivalmarksthevictoryofShivajiMaharajwholedhisMarathaforcesafterconqueringdifferentpartsoftheregion.RitualsAssociatedwithGudiPadwaOnthedayofGudiPadwapeoplewakeupearlytocleananddecoratetheirhomes.TheGudiisworshippedwithin5-10minutesofsunrise.GudiisnormallyayelloworgreencolouredsilkclothwithbrocadeorZariborderwhichistiedtothetipofalongbambooovera“Gathi”(typeofsweet),mangoleaves,Neemleaves,andmarigoldflowers.Silverorabrass“Kalash”witha“Swastika”markedonitisplacedinanupturnedpositionovertheGudi.AfterperformingtheritualstheGudiisnormallyplacedontherightsideoftheentranceofthehouseforalltosee.ItisbelievedthattheGudihelpstogetridofevilandbringprosperitytotheworshippers.OncetheworshippingofGudiisover,“Prasad”madeofNeemleafpaste,Ajwain,tamarind,pulsesandjaggeryisdistributed.TheNeemleafpasteisveryusefultopurifythebloodandhelpbodyfightdiseasesonitsown.GudiPadwaisconsideredtobeaveryauspiciousday.Hencemanypeoplestartnewventuresorbusinessonthisday.Onthisdaypeopleholdhousewarmingcelebrationsalso.FoodforGudiPadwaCelebrationNoIndianfestivaliscompletewithtraditionalfoodbeingcookedandconsumed.PuranPolis(sweetrotis),Pooris(deepfriedbread),Jalebis,SoorithPak,Usal,Shrikand(yogurtbaseddessert),andBasundiaresomeofthepopulargoodiesassociatedwiththefestivalofGudiPadwa.GuidPadwaisconsideredasoneoftheauspiciousdaysfrom3andhalf(Sade-TeenMahurats)auspiciousdaysaccordingtoHindutradition.Therefore,allnewpurchaseslikenewhouses,newcars,newornamentsetc;aredoneonthisday.AssuchGudiPadwaisanimportantdayforHindus.
Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on 23rd March in the year 2012. Gudi Padwa is considered as one of the most important days by Hindus. Find more about the significance of and rituals associated with Gudi Padwa festival. Gudi Padwa is the Marathi name for festival- “Chaitra Shukla Pratipada”. It is celebrated to welcome the Hindu New Year which falls on the first day of “Chaitra” month as per the Hindu calendar. In 2012, Gudi Padwa falls on 23rd of March. Gudi Padwa also marks the descent of the spring season. Hence, this is a colourful festival which is celebrated all over India with great pomp and show. Gudi Padwa festival is also celebrated as Ugadi in Karnataka.
Gudi Padwa celebrations begin before sunrise when people take the auspicious oil bath. Houses are decorated with mango leaves and red flowers which are considered favorable for this occasion. After worshipping Lord Brahma the “Gudi” is hoisted. On this day it is believed that Brahma created the universe out of chaos.
Importance of Gudi Padwa
On Gudi Padwa day people first worship Lord Brahma after which the Gudi is hoisted. Next Lord Vishnu is invoked with a view to seek his blessings. There are a number of mythological tales surrounding this festival.
It is believed that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana and his allies on Gudi Padwa day. Therefore, people of Ayodhya started celebrating this day as the beginning of a new era. History also has it that the purpose of hoisting the Gudi is to commemorate the numerous victories of Shivaji Maharaj.
The Gudi is considered to be a victory flag or a symbol of victory. Gudi is adorned with mango leaves, a yellow silk cloth, garlands and red flowers which are considered auspicious. “Rangolis” are made at the entrance of the houses and around the Gudi.
Legends Associated with Gudi Padwa
There are a number of legends regarding the origin of Gudi Padwa. As mentioned earlier the most popular belief is that Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. According to another legend on this day King Vali was killed by Lord Rama. Lord Vishnu is said to have incarnated the fish or “Matsya” on Gudi Padwa day. In Western India most people believe that this festival marks the victory of Shivaji Maharaj who led his Maratha forces after conquering different parts of the region.
Rituals Associated with Gudi Padwa
On the day of Gudi Padwa people wake up early to clean and decorate their homes. The Gudi is worshipped within 5-10 minutes of sunrise. Gudi is normally a yellow or green coloured silk cloth with brocade or Zari border which is tied to the tip of a long bamboo over a “Gathi” (type of sweet), mango leaves, Neem leaves, and marigold flowers. Silver or a brass “Kalash” with a “Swastika” marked on it is placed in an upturned position over the Gudi.
After performing the rituals the Gudi is normally placed on the right side of the entrance of the house for all to see. It is believed that the Gudi helps to get rid of evil and bring prosperity to the worshippers.
Once the worshipping of Gudi is over, “Prasad” made of Neem leaf paste, Ajwain, tamarind, pulses and jaggery is distributed. The Neem leaf paste is very useful to purify the blood and help body fight diseases on its own.
Gudi Padwa is considered to be a very auspicious day. Hence many people start new ventures or business on this day. On this day people hold house warming celebrations also.
Food for Gudi Padwa Celebration
No Indian festival is complete with traditional food being cooked and consumed. Puran Polis (sweet rotis), Pooris (deep fried bread), Jalebis, Soorith Pak, Usal, Shrikand (yogurt based dessert), and Basundi are some of the popular goodies associated with the festival of Gudi Padwa.
Guid Padwa is considered as one of the auspicious days from 3 and half (Sade-Teen Mahurats) auspicious days according to Hindu tradition. Therefore, all new purchases like new houses, new cars, new ornaments etc; are done on this day. As such Gudi Padwa is an important day for Hindus.
