Happy Gudi Padwa 2019: Maharashtrians and Konkanis living across the globe will celebrate Gudi Padwa on Saturday, April 6. The Marathi new year will herald the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2076.
Celebrated as the first day of the year according to the Luni-Solar calendar, Gudi Padwa is also called Samvatsar Padvo. In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the day is celebrated as Ugadi.
According to Luni-Solar calendar, the respective positions of the Moon and the Sun are considered to divide the year into months and days. On the other hand, the Solar calendar considers only the Sun’s position. As a result, Hindu New Year is celebrated on two different says in the year. The Hindu New Year in Tamil Nadu is known as Puthandu, while it’s Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab, Pana Sankranti in Odisha. In West Bengal, the new year will be celebrated on 15 April this year.
On Gudi Padwa, the day begins with a ritual oil bath, and people offer prayers. Eating Neem on this day is considered must by scriptures.
During Gudi Padwa, people make rangolis on the floor.
A gudi, meaning doll, is prepared in Maharashtrian homes using a bamboo stick, neem and mango leaves, and a red garland. An inverted copper or silver pot is used for a face and is adorned to make the gudi that is placed prominently in the house for all to see.
In Maharashtra, people wearing new clothes hold street processions on Gudi Padwa when they dance and sing. They also prepare festive special food items such as sakkar bhaat (sweet rice), shrikhand, puri and puran poli.