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Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year, will be celebrated in Maharashtra on April 9, 2024. The festival marks the beginning of the new year in Maharashtra. People in Maharashtra celebrate Gudi Padwa by decorating their homes, cooking delicious at home, and performing special rituals with family members.
Gudi Padwa 2024: Date and Time
- Pratipada Tithi begins – April 8, 2024 – 11:50 PM
- Pratipada Tithi ends – April 9, 2024 – 08:30 PM
History of Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padwa is also known as Samvatsar Padvo and marks the beginning of the Harvest season in Maharashtra. This festival is one of the most important Hindu festivals observed by Marathi and Konkani Hindu people in Maharashtra and Goa. Celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra Month, it signifies the start of the Marathi New Year.
Significance of Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padwa signifies the day Lord Brahma created the universe. As per Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma introduced days, weeks, months, and years on this day. Another legend celebrates King Shalivahana’s victory, symbolized by the hoisting of the Gudi flag. The belief is that a bamboo stick adorned with neem leaves and garlands called a Gudi, wards off evil and invites prosperity.
Rituals
- Wake up early in the morning and take a special holy bath by using an oil before starting rituals.
- People decorate their homes with rangoli and Gudi.
- They prepare a dish with neem leaves and put some jaggery in it.
- Worshipping Lord Brahma is one of the main rituals of this festival and offering him bhog.
- Some devotees even perform hawan and yajna on this auspicious day.
- People decorate their homes with flags.
- Devotees also believe that hoisting a Gudi in their homes, brings good fortune, health, happiness, and wealth in their life.
- This Gudi also gives protection to the devotees from evil spirits and evil energies.
- People at last complete the puja rituals by distributing gram lentils, and cumin seeds along with prasadam.
