Gudi Padwa

Gudhi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus.[2] It is celebrated in and near Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The word पाडवा (pāḍavā) or पाडवो (pāḍavo) or पाड्ड्वा/पाड्ड्वो (pāḍḍvā/pāḍḍvo) comes from the Sanskrit word प्रतिपदा (pratipadā), which refers to the first day of a lunar fortnight. The festival is observed with colorful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi flag (garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, topped with upturned silver or copper vessel), street processions, dancing and festive foods.[2][3]

For other traditions of celebrating the lunar new year, see Lunar New Year.

Gudhi Padwa
A Gudhi Padwa new year festive procession in Maharashtra
Official nameGudhi Padwa
Also calledMarathi New Year
Observed byMarathi and Konkani Hindus
TypeReligious (Hindu), social, cultural
Celebrations1 day
BeginsChaitra Shuddha Padyami
Ends5 April 2019
DateMarch / April
2020 date25 March (Wed)[1]
Frequencyannual
Related toMesha Sankranti, Ugadi, and other Hindu new year’s festivals
Part of a series on
Hinduism

In India, first day of the bright phase of the moon is called Gudhi Padwa in Marathi, pāḍya (Konkani: पाडयो;Kannada: ಪಾಡ್ಯ; Telugu: పాడ్యమి, paadyami; ). Konkani Hindus variously refer to the day as सौसार पाडवो or सौसार पाडयो (saṁsāra pāḍavo / saṁsāra pāḍye), संसार (saṁsāra) being a corruption of the word संवत्सर (saṁvatsara). Telugu Hindus celebrate the same occasion as Ugadi, while Konkani and Kannada Hindus in Karnataka refer to it as युगादि, ಯುಗಾದಿ (yugādi). The same new year festival is known by other names in different regions of the Indian subcontinent. However, this is not the universal new year for all Hindus. For some, such as those in and near Gujarat, the new year festivities coincide with the five day Diwali festival.[4] For many others, the new year falls on Vaisakhi between 13 and 15 April, according to the solar cycle part of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, and this is by far the most popular not only among Hindus of the Indian subcontinent but also among Buddhists and Hindus in many parts of southeast Asia.[4]

The Sindhi community celebrates this day as Cheti Chand as the new year and observed as the emergence day of Lord Jhulelaal. Prayers are offered to Lord Jhulelaal and the festival is celebrated by making delicacies like Tehri (sweet rice) and Saai Bhaaja (Palak made in dal).

Etymology
Traditional Gudhi

Gudhi means flag, erect flag on the houses as part of celebration in Maharashtra where its mainly celebrated.According to Kittel word belongs to South Indian language origin.[5]

The word pāḍavā is derived from the Sanskrit word pratipad for the first day of each fortnight in a lunar month i.e. the first day on which the moon appears after the so-called "new moon" day (amāvāsya) and the first day after the full moon. A Gudhi is also hoisted on this occasion giving this festival its name. The term padva or padavo is also associated with balipratipad the third day of Diwali which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.

See also: Balipratipada

Significance

Gudhi Padva signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of Rabi crops.[6]

The festival is linked to the mythical day on which Hindu god Brahma created time and universe. To some, it commemorates the coronation of Rama in Ayodhya after his victory over evil Ravana, or alternatively the start of Shalivahan calendar after he defeated the Huns invasion in the 1st century.[7]

According to Anne Feldhaus, in rural Maharashtra the festival is linked to Shiva's dance and coming together of the community as they carry the Gudhi Kavads together to a Shiva temple.[8]

The Guḍhī

A notable sight during Gudhi Padwa are the numerous Gudhi (or Gudhi) arrangements at every household. It is a bright colorful silk scarf-like cloth tied at the top of a long bamboo. On top of it, one or more boughs of neem leaves and mango leaves are attached along with a garland of flowers. This arrangement is capped with a silver, bronze or copper pot (handi or kalash) signifying victory or achievement.[9][10] The whole arrangement is hoisted outside each household, typically to the right, or through a window or terrace. It is visible to everybody. Villages or neighborhoods also come together and host a community Gudhi Kavad, which they carry together to the local Shiva temple.

Gudhi in Jamthi Kh. village Hingoli Taluka, Maharashtra

Some temples are located on the top of hills, and groups work together to help reach the kavad to the top.[10]

Some of the significances attributed to raising a Gudhi are as follows:

The Gudhi Padwa festival marks the new year, but also celebrates victory of Maratha warriors in processions.
  • It symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.[6]
  • Gudhi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj (translation: Brahma’s flag) mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj (translation: the flag of Indra).[6]
  • Historically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudhi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile.[6]
  • Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.[6]

Festivities
Rangoli

On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.

Traditionally, families prepare a special dish that mixes various flavors, particularly the bitter leaves of the neem tree and sweet jaggery (gur, gul). Additional ingredients include sour tamarind and astringent dhane seeds. This, like the pacchadi recipe used in Ugadi festival, is eaten as a reminder of life's sweet and bitter experiences, as well as a belief that the neem-based mixture has health benefits.[9][11]

Maharashtrian families also make many other festive dishes, such as shrikhand and Poori or Puran Poli on this day.

Guḍhī Pāḍavā in other languages, states and people

Known as Guḍhī Pāḍavā ("Gudhee Paadavaa") in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as[12]

In other parts of India[12] this festival is celebrated during

It is also celebrated in the North-East state of Manipur as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba and also in countries like Nepal, Burma, Cambodia and other nations where there are lot of Hindus. People prepare a variety of food and cuisine on this day and later climb the hillocks in the evening.

In Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindu or Pundit community, also the Kashmiri Sikh community celebrate this Festival as Navreh, the start of New Lunar Year. A biggish thal viz a brass eating plate is filled with uncooked rice and the new Punchang, the Kashmiri Hindu Ephemeris placed in it. A little cooked rice, curds, salt, all in small cups, crisp currency note and a coin, a pen, some flowers, a golden bangle, a silver ornament, 3 or 5 walnuts are also placed in this Thal. Every one is expected to see this thal, first thing in the morning. Generally, the eldest lady of the household sees it first and then brings it in to show to all sleeping members of the household. Every one is expected to wear a new garment and the children are given some cash to enjoy the festival. The lunch is a feast.

In Punjab the new year is celebrated as Baisakhi falling mostly on 13 or 14 April, first day of month Naisakh of the Bikram Samavt or calendar.

in Bengal this occasion is celebrated as Naba Barsha, in Assam as Bihu, in Kerala as Vishu, in Tamil Nadu as Putuhandu . It is considered as most auspicious day of the year.

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gollark: At least one.
gollark: Probably.
gollark: Looks like I'll have all my slots free at some point on Halloween.
gollark: YES! My reds are back!

See also

References
  1. "National Portal of India". Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  2. Roshen Dalal (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books. p. 150. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  3. Gudi Padwa, Government of Maharashtra (2016)
  4. Karen Pechilis; Selva J. Raj (2013). South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today. Routledge. pp. 48–49. ISBN 978-0-415-44851-2.
  5. Gowda, Deve; Gowda, Javare (1998). Village Names of Mysore District: An Analytical Study. p. 55. ISBN 81-206-1390-2. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  6. "Significance of Gudhi Padwa". Hindu Jagriti Samiti. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013.
  7. Gudi Padva, Government of Maharashtra Tourism Office
  8. Anne Feldhaus (2003). Connected Places: Region, Pilgrimage, and Geographical Imagination in India. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 48–57, 72–83. ISBN 978-1-4039-8134-9.
  9. William D. Crump (2014). Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide. McFarland. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-7864-9545-0.
  10. Anne Feldhaus (2003). Connected Places: Region, Pilgrimage, and Geographical Imagination in India. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 48–57. ISBN 978-1-4039-8134-9.
  11. Ernest Small (2011). Top 100 Exotic Food Plants. CRC Press. p. 411. ISBN 978-1-4398-5688-8.
  12. "Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Gudhi Padwa)". Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
  13. Gajrani, S. History, Religion and Culture of India. Volume 3. p. 108.
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