Gudhi Padva

Gudhi Padva festival is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month marking the break of the New Year according to a section of Hindu calendar. This day falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which is also the first day of nine day fasting known as Chaitra Navrathri.

Gudhi Padva is called so in Maharashtra State, while this festival is known with different names in other States of India, such as, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Baishakhi in Punjab, NabaBarsha in Bengal, Goru Bihu in Assam, Vishu in Kerala, and Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu in Tamilnadu, while it is celebrated as Cheti Chand by Sindhis and during Nau Roz in Kashmir.

This day is celebrated with lot of festivities, houses decorated with auspicious things, like green or yellow cloth done up with brocade or zari finish at the tip of a long bamboo stick over which sugar crystals (gaathi) , neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a well woven garland of red flowers are tied. Likewise, hanging festoons with Mango leaves and decorating the front yard with plantain trees with leaves and fruits, signifying prosperity, are followed in southern part of the country, besides arranging for rich feast by all sections of the community.

History and Origin of the Festival

Gudhi Padva' is considered as  the day on which Prajapati created the Universe and it was on this day the first of the four Yugas, namely Satya Yuga commenced. It is also believed that the Divine consciousness emanating on the sunrise of this day, absorbed by humans within 5 to 10 minutes of the Sunrise lasts longer.

Historical observers mention that Gudhi Padwa was first celebrated in 1689 when Chatrapati Sambhaji Raje was killed, people feeling happy over this event, made it an auspicious day by decorating the home with objects which are considered inauspicious on normal days , such as bamboo, saree, neem branches, utensil kept bottoms up, etc. A section of people oppose to this claim since Chatrapati Sambaji Raje was a supporter of Hindu Vedic principles and Brahmins, and people would not have started this festival upon this event.

Significance of the festival

It is widely believed that during Gudhi Padva, the waves of fire element known as Tejtatvaare activated in abundance and the Divine consciousness emanating during the first few minutes of the sunrise, if absorbed and stored with body cells will be of immense providence to human beings.

Raising a Gudhi, literally a decorated post stuck to one’s home or house window sills, has significance of celebrating victory of Maratha King Shivaji, while few others attribute it to the formation of earth by Prajapati. A section of people align this festival with the celebration of Sri Rama’s return after the war at Sri Lanka, fetching Sita who was held as a hostile by Ravan.

Gudhi Padva has religious and social significance, apart from astrological principles based on astronomical movements, causing the birth of a season. Hence, all those who observe this festival have good and pleasant attitude and mental balance, with satisfaction in one’s life.

The Festival

Gudhi Padva celebrations are predominant in Maharashtra as compared to other regions. Here, village homes are trimmed up, courtyards are decorated and ‘rangoli’ designs are drawn up all around the house, particularly in the front yard and puja hall, making the entire surrounding and ambience colorful. The members of the family also choose to wear new cloths as they do in Diwali time.

Tradition prescribes eating bitter leaves of neem tree, which are formed into paste with coriander seeds, Jaggery and tamarind, before one eats the sweet meats and other eatables of festivity. There is a scientific explanation given to this that the stomach is cleaned up, the body immunity system gets improved with such intake, particularly on this festive occasion.

The sweet items specially prepared for the occasion includes Shrikhand, an item made out of Sugar and some guard varieties of vegetable, like pumpkin, which is served with some Poori or Puran Poli. While this is the practice in Maharashtra region, Konkans make a different item Kananga chi Kheer, which is a product of sweet potato, jaggery, coconut milk, and rice flour etc, mixed for the celebration.

In Karnataka, the special mixture of Neem and Jaggery, called Bevu-Bella is prepared, which symbolizes the sweet and bitter part of life which one should sustain with balance. Besides this, another special dish called Obbattu or Holige, which is commonly known as Puran Poli, is also made during this occasion.

Fixing the Gudhi is an important requirement for the celebration of Gudhi Padva. Gudhi is normally positioned on the right side of the front door of the house, symbolizing positive aspects of life. The place where the Gudhi is placed should be cleaned up, rangoli with Swastic figure should be drawn on the floor in front of it, and the sacred mix of Turmeric and vermillion mix should be offered at the centre of the swastika. The Gudhi should be raised with recital of Shiva Sakthi praise making the constituents of the family accept whole heartedly Shiva Sakthi Principle.

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