Gudi Padwa is a Hindu festival celebrated primarily by the people of Maharashtra, India, marking the beginning of the traditional Hindu New Year. It falls on the first day of the Chaitra month, which typically falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and includes various rituals and customs. One of the main rituals involves the hoisting of the Gudi, which is a decorated pole or stick topped with a colorful cloth, flowers, and an upturned copper or silver vessel. The Gudi is usually hoisted outside homes as a symbol of victory and prosperity.
People also clean and decorate their houses, wear new clothes, and prepare special festive dishes. It’s a time for families to come together, exchange greetings, and share meals.
Gudi Padwa is not only a celebration of the New Year but also carries cultural and historical significance. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is believed to bring in prosperity and happiness for the year ahead.