Gudhi Padwa heralds the advent of a prosperous
new year and is considered as one of the most auspicious days by Hindus. The
Hindu year begins on the first day, "shuddha pratipada", of the
month of Chaitra (March-April).
It is one of the most auspicious
'Muhurats' (auspicious timing) amongst the three and a half Muhurats that
occur in Hindu calendar year. The day is considered auspicious for building
or entering a new house, putting a child to school, or starting a business.
With this day begins the new season, the spring.
According to
Bramhand Purana God Brahma created the world on this day. On this day people
should vow to be bold and courageous to face their problems and fight
against their enemy. On this day Shri Rama had freed the people from the
tyranny of Vali. To celebrate this occasion people put up Gudhi (symbol for
victory or victory flag) in their courtyards.
It is a day of great
festivity and rejoicing. People get up early and clean their houses,
decorating them with intricate rangoli designs. New clothes are worn, and
sweets made for the occasion include shrikhand, basundi, jalebis etc. Many
homes also decorate the pots with coconuts, flowers and mango leaves,
symbolizing nature's bounty to all.
On this day a pole called
Gudhi is erected in front of the house. Padwa is another name for "Pratipada",
the first day of the lunar month. A new cloth is tied on the Gudhi, a metal
or silver vessel is put on to it and a garland of sweets is hung on it.
People welcome the New Year with Gudhi worship and distribute
Prasad comprising of tender Neem leaves, tamarind, Ajwain, gram-pulse and
jaggery. The Neem paste is believed to purify the blood and build up
immunity in the body against diseases.