Gudi Padwa is considered as one of the most important festivals in India which is said to bring great energy into the body and mind of the devotees and bestows them with a lot of joy and happiness. As per the Hindu lunar calendar, Gudi Padwa falls on the first day of the Chaitra month. Gudi Padwa as a festival is referred to as a symbol of victory, hence the word Gudi means a flag which is held high. Gudi represents the flag of both Lord Brahma and Indra named Brahma Dhwaj and Indra Dhwaj respectively.
Date and Timings
In 2023, Gudi Padwa falls on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The Pratipada Tithi Begins at 10:52 p.m on March 21, 2023, and it will end at 08:20 p.m on March 22, 2023.
Significance of Gudi Padwa
Guide Padwa is a festival celebrated in the spring season and it marks the beginning of the year for Konkani and Marathi people. It is considered to be a symbol of the reaping of the Rabi crops and the arrival of Spring in the country. As per legends, this festival is related to an auspicious day on which the famous Hindu god, Lord Brahma created time and the universe. In some parts of India, people also believe that this festival celebrates the crowning of Lord Rama as the king of Ayodhya after his victory over the demon king Ravana.
Gudi Padwa Rituals
- The Gudi Padwa Rituals start with a holy oil bath which relaxes muscles and helps in strengthening the body.
- Women and children indulge in making wonderful rangolis with a variety of colours and decorate the entrance of the house with mango leaves and red flowers.
- After the decoration gets over, Puja is offered to Lord Brahma with the help of a fragrant plant named ‘davna’. Then a havan is conducted, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
- The most important part of the festival is the making of the Gudi. A yellow-coloured cloth is decorated with red flowers and mango leaves and is tied to a bamboo stick. Then a pot made up of copper or silver is fixed to it. That’s called a Gudi. Then the Gudi is hoisted at a height either on the terrace or the entrance of the house.
- Then some hymns and mantras related to the puja are chanted and ‘Prasadam’ is distributed among the devotees.
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