Gudi Padwa 2023 : Date, Time, History, Significance & Rituals in India

We wish you a very Happy New Year.
Are you confused? Then it would help if you read on.

India is still an agrarian economy where more than 45% of the population relies directly or indirectly on agriculture. So with the change in the agricultural season, it starts the new year.
For us, Indians, our new year is around the corner.

• It’s that time of the year that signifies – completion of a seasonal-cycle; farmers change the crop and sow seeds wishing for a good harvest.
• It’s the start of a new agricultural cycle that synchronizes with the seasons.
• It’s the time of the year to get back and enjoy harmony with nature.

Gudi Padwa is a very popular festival that marks the new year for the Maharashtrians. People of India celebrate this festival in various names in different parts of the country. While the neighboring states of Karnataka, Andhrapradesh, and Telangana celebrate the festival as Ugadi, Sindhi Community celebrates the same as Cheti Chand, Kashmiri Sikh community celebrate this Festival as Navreh, and so on.

About Gudi Padwa

In 2023, we are celebrating Gudi Padava on the 22nd of march
Gudi Paadwa, a festival of India, is celebrated predominantly in Maharashtra. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the festival falls on the first day of the month of Chaitra. Also known as Samvatsar Padvo, it marks the beginning of the new year for Marathis living world-wide.  In Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, and Telangana, this day is celebrated as Ugadi or Yugadi, which share the same date as Gudi Padwa according to Hindu Panchang.

Gudi Padwa 2023: Date & Muhurat Timings

Gudi Padwa 2022: Date & Muhurat Timings

So, how does the festival get its name?

A Gudi is a bamboo-stick that is taller than the roof of the house. The stick is tied with a brilliant color fabric enhanced with zari that has been finished with precious stones. Further, neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a festoon of red blooms are tied to the gudi to add to the decorations. Finally, it is topped off with an inverted silver or bronze pot or Kalash to signify victory or achievement.
Padva originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Pratipada,’ which means the first day on which the moon appears after Amavasya.
Since the festival is marked with decorating Gudi to symbolize victory on pratipada, the festival gets the name Gudi Padava or Gudi Paadwa.

History and Legends surrounding Gudi Padwa

There are many mythological stories and historical facts associated with Gudi Padwa.
Brahma Purana: Brahma Purana is one of the sacred Hindu scriptures. In the treatise, it is mentioned that after a natural calamity that left all the people dead and stopped time, Lord Brahma started recreating the world on this auspicious day. His efforts paid off – restarting the time and creating the Satya Yuga or the era of justice and truth.

Ramayana: A beautiful epic from India is Ramayana, based on Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Another story says that Lord Rama gained his victory over Ravana on this day. Hence, Gudi or Brahma’s flag is hoisted in households to mark Rama’s victory over Ravana.

Historical Chapters: Another historical significance of Gudi is associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is said that he defeated the Mughals and freed Marathas from the Mughal rule. His victory is one of the main reasons why people of Maharashtra hoist Gudi on this day.

Significance of Gudhi Padava

Gudhi Padava is no doubt a significant festival of Maharashtra.
●Maharashtrian households decorate and place the Gudi at the entrance of their houses to ward off evils.
●Purchasing gold, a new vehicle, or anything new on this day is considered to bring good fortune.
●Astrology says since the planets and stars are aligned to mark new beginnings, any work started on the day is sure to bring success.
●Gudi Padava signifies the arrival of spring.
●The entire day is considered auspicious. So people use the occasion to start new ventures, perform pooja’s, and so on.

Rituals in India

Since the festival marks the beginning of a new year, Marathi’s belief is following traditions.
●Cleaning households to mark the beginning of the spring starts early. The process is also called spring cleaning.
●On the day of the festival, people take a ritualistic oil bath. After the bath, people wear colorful and new garments to enhance the festival’s looks. Women wear traditional jewelry called dejhor, or nathani, or the nose ring.
●The entire household takes part in decorating Gudi and the house itself to begin the festivities. Beautiful rangoli is drawn in the front-doors to welcome deities and guests into the home.
●It is then followed by prayers and the consumption of neem leaves mixed with jaggery, and sometimes tamarind. The mixture purifies the blood and increases the body’s resistance.
●And as in the case of all festivals, special traditional cuisines that include shrikhand, poori, and pooran poli are prepared to be relished.
●The evening is spent either visiting friends and relatives or shopping since it is an auspicious day.
Gudi Padwa is not just any other festival for Maharashtrians. It’s a day that brings joy to the family and gives new hopes. It’s time to leave the past behind and look forward to a great year that brings in new and amazing memories to be cherished and held dear.
So, happy Gudi Padava. Wishing you loads of success and wellness this year and forever.