Mumbai Maharashtra Padwa Gudi Padwa Gudi Vaisakhi It really is the time to walk through the crowded maze ofstreets and visitthis weekend. Maximum city would be decorated with special Gudis, beautiful street processions and traditional dancing. Much like any Indian festival,too has some of its own signature lip-smacking delicacies like Shrikhand-Puri and Puran Poli that is sure to tempt you too!Known as the traditional new year for Maharashtrians and Konkanis,, Padva or Parva will be celebrated on April 6 this year.This is not the universal new year for all Hindus. Being one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world, new year in India is celebrated in various regions at various times of the year, specific to the religion and region they belong to; for Gujaratis, the new year is celebrated during Diwali, for many others, the new year falls onbetween April 13 to 15. Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month, marking the beginning of the New year. The same new year festival is known by other names in different regions.The festival is celebrated by hoisting Gudi (which means flag), at homes as part of the celebration that signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of Rabi crops.Gudi, believed to ward off evil, is tied to the top of a long bamboo stick with a bright colorful (yellow, green or red) silk scarf-like cloth. On top of the gudi, one or more boughs of neem leaves (symbolism purification) and mango leaves (symbol of good luck and prosperity used during auspicious occasions) are attached along with a garland of flowers and sugar crystals. It is topped with upturned bronze, silver or copper pot (handi or kalash) signifying victory or achievement.Gudi is erected to the right outside each household. The festival also celebrates victory of Maratha warriors in processions. As a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi. It symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.Villages or neighborhoods also come together and host a community Gudi Kavad, which they carry together to the local Shiva temple.Gudi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj.The Gudi symbolises Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years in exile. So people celebrated the victory of lord Rama every year by raising the Gudi. Gudi is a symbol of victory of lord Rama.Happy Gudi Padwa and Happy New Year to one and all!<doc-sep>The upcoming weekend is auspicious for various Indian communities. Three Indian communities including Marathis, Kashmiri Pandits and Sindhis will welcome the Hindu New Year according to lunisolar Hindu calendar on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Kashmiri Pandits will celebrate Navrez, Sindhis will welcome New Year with a grand celebration known as Cheti Chand while Marathi Pandits will ring in the Hindu New Year with festivities of Gudi Padwa. Gudi Padwa will fall on 6th April this year and will be ushered in with spring cleaning, decorations around the house and festive food in Maharashtrian households. The main highlight of this festival is the arrangement of Gudis which literally means flags erected around the household. Gudi Padwa is also associated with the arrival of spring and the reaping of Rabi crops. The Gudi arrangement is a silk cloth or scarf tied at the top of a long bamboo stick and decorated with garlands and boughs of neem and mango leaves. The structure is then capped with a kalash of copper, silver or gold. The hoisting of Gudi historically signifies the victory and happiness of Lord Ram over Ravana. It also signifies the Brahmadhvaj, as mentioned in the Brahma Purana because it is believed that Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. Gudi is also believed to bring prosperity and good luck into a household besides warding off evil. Gudi Padwa is celebrated with people cleaning their houses and decorating it with rangolis. Both men and women wear new clothes to celebrate this auspicious day while women also wear traditional jewellery called ‘dejhor’. Maharashtrians also make a number of dishes to celebrate this festival including Shrikhand, Poori and Pooran Poli. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter<doc-sep>LUCKNOW: It is going to be a festive weekend ahead with three communities celebrating three festivals, beginning on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra While Marathi and Kashmiri Pandit communities will usher in festivities of Gudi Padwa and Navrez , respectively, Sindhis will begin the celebrations for Cheti Chand on a grand scale with a procession in the city. The entrance of the more than 200 Marathi homes in the city will be adorned with the ‘gudi’, an ornate arrangement of great significance on Saturday, to commence the new year. Seeped in rituals, people dress up in traditional clothes and a host of delicacies are prepared for the festival. These include shrikhand and puran poli . Marathi families also hoist the ‘Vijay Dhwaj’, symbolising the victory of Shivaji Maharaj . “The house is decorated with rangoli and a ‘gudi’, which is a new kalash (urn) wrapped in green or yellow silk cloth, is placed on a bamboo stick at the entrance. It is a sign of prosperity and the most important symbol of the day. The morning prasad is a special mixture of ‘neem’ and jaggery. The idea behind this is neem purifies blood and protects us from many diseases,” said Arti Natu, a resident of Chowk.The same day Kashmiri Pandits will begin their new year, Nauroz or Navrez, on the first day of the Chaitra month, by praying for the well being of the family. The day begins with family members looking at the mirror, writing ‘Om’ on the new Panchang and praying.“Considered to be the most auspicious day, it is a festival where we wear new clothes and authentic jewellery called ‘dejhor’, with long hanging gold strings. The evening will be marked by celebrations where community members gather to feast,” said Meenakshi Kaul. Meanwhile, Cheti Chand cultural activities that have already been going on for a week will see a procession of 15 tableaux circling around the city. More than 5,000 Sindhis will be a part of the event on the roads of Lucknow, generating awareness on the themes of voting and other issues.“The evening of Cheti Chand will be filled with pomp and show. Since Cheti Chand is celebrated to honour the birth of our patron saint Jhulelal, the day is regarded as the most auspicious, marking a new beginning in the life of all Sindhis,” said Ashok Motiyani, spokesperson of Cheti Chand Mela Committee.<doc-sep>Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) 2019: Happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa! Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) 2019: Happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa! Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) 2019: Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year and is primarily celebrated by the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The same day is also celebrated by the people of Maharashtra as Gudi Padwa – the Maharashtrian New Year. The word gudi means a flag, while padwa, which is derived from a Sanskrit word, means the first day of the bright phase of the moon. The festival got its name as a stick decorated with a bright-coloured cloth, garlands and neem leaves is usually seen outside Maharashtrian households. Ugadi is celebrated as the New Year according to the Luni-Solar calendar. The calendar considers the position of the moon and the sun to divide the year into months and days. The Hindu New Year based on the Solar calendar is known as Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Vaisakhi in Punjab, Pana Sankranti in Orissa and Naba Barsha in West Bengal. Also Read: Ugadi 2019 Date in India: When is Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) in 2019? The day is considered auspicious as it is widely believed that Lord Brahma created the Hindu trinity – Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer) – on this day. The day also marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri, that leads up to Ram Navami, Lord Rama’s birthday. Happy Ugadi 2019: Wishes Images, Messages, Photos and Status for Whatsapp and Facebook Much like other festivals on this day people offer prayers after taking a holy oil bath. Eating neem leaves, as suggested by the scriptures, is one of the most important rituals as it detoxifies and strengthens the body. A vegetarian feast is prepared for the festival. Recipes like Shrikhand, Puran Poli, Rice Chakli and Bhakarwadi are prepared on the day. Buying gold, a new vehicle or making a fresh start is considered prosperous on this day.<doc-sep>
Gudi Padwa which is extensively celebrated in the state of Maharashtra brings with it lots of fun and frolic On 6 April, Indians celebrate the festival of Gudi Padwa marking the arrival of spring and which coincides with the start of the New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus in the subcontinent. It is celebrated in and around Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of the month of Chaitra, according to the Hindu calendar. The festival is also known as Samvatsar Padvo. People make rangolis, hoist Gudi flags, dance and prepare a range of sweet and savoury foods. The festival coincides with Ugadi celebrations in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and is also commemorated by Telugu Hindus. Origin Historically, the Gudi symbolises Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag). The festival commemorates the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile. Significance and rituals The day is said to begin with a ritualistic oil bath, followed by prayers and the consumption of neem leaves. In North India, the nine-day festival of Chaitra Navaratri begins on the same day. Gudi flags are also hoisted on houses, giving the festival its name, and as part of the Gudi Padwa celebrations in Maharashtra. The flag made from a a bright and colourful silk-scarf like cloth tied atop a bamboo stick, and on the top end of the stick, boughs of neem and mango leaves, along with a garland of flowers are also attached. The stick is capped with a silver or bronze pot or kalash, which signifies victory or achievement. Celebrations Gudi Padwa is celebrated with people cleaning their houses and decorating it with rangolis. Both men and women wear new clothes to celebrate this auspicious day. Women also wear traditional jewellery called dejhor. Maharashtrians observe this festival by making a number of traditional cuisines like shrikhand, poori and pooran poli.