Gudi Padwa 2022: In Hinduism, the new year starts with Pratipada (first day of a fortnight ) of Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. This is also known as Gudi Padwa. This year, the festival of Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on 2nd April.
The day also marks the start of the Chaitra Navratri. Both days have a great significance in Hinduism. Gudi literally means flag and Pratipada date is called Padwa. The festival of Gudi Padwa is celebrated with pomp all over South India including Goa and Maharashtra. It is believed about this festival that on this day, Brahmaji had created the universe and Satya Yuga had begun.
Gudi Padwa celebrations and reasons
There are different beliefs across the country regarding Gudi Padwa which are as follows:
The day of creation of the Hindu calendar
It is believed that the Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month was the beginning of the Indian calendar, counting the days, months and years from sunrise to sunset.
New harvest festival
Gudi Padwa is also known as the harvest festival. In many parts of the country, people celebrate the festival of Gudi Padwa with great pomp to welcome the arrival of a new crop.
Lord Rama’s victory over Bali
South India was ruled by Bali in Treta Yuga. Bali was a tyrannical king. Lord Rama had freed people from the misrule by killing Bali. It is believed that this day was of Chaitra Pratipada. That is why this day is considered as a symbol of victory and Gudi means flag is hoisted.
Method of worshiping Gudi Padwa
. On this day, people wake up before sunrise and take bath. Torans and Gudi made of mango leaves are placed on the doors of the houses. On this day, beautiful Rangoli is also made at home.
Special dishes are made
On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, dishes like Puran Poli, Shrikhand, sweet rice are prepared.
King of Nav Samvatsara (Varshesh)
Lord (astrological planet) of the first day of the New Year is considered as the Lord of the year. In 2022, the Hindu Nav Varsh day is Saturday. Hence, lord of the Hindu New Year 2022 is saturn.
Gudhipadwa Celebrations
1. In the morning, after doing the daily routine works like cleaning, bathing, etc., Gudi is hoisted.
– People clean their houses; and in villages, houses are plastered with fresh cow-dung.
– It is mentioned in the Shastras that Taila Abhyang must be done during the Arunodaya Kaal on this day.
– Gudi must be worshiped just after the sunrise. It must not be delayed.
2. Beautiful Rangoli designs are also made with bright colors and houses are decorated with fresh flowers.
3. People dress up in new, beautiful clothes. Usually, Marathi women adorn themselves in Kastha or Nauvari (9-yard Saree tucked at the back) and men wear Kurta Pajama along with a turban, which is mostly saffron or red.
4. Families gather and greet the New Year to everyone.
5. New Year’s horoscope must also be heard on this day.
6. Traditionally, the celebration begins after having the sweetened Neem leaves as Prasad. Usually, a paste is made with Neem leaves, jaggery, tamarind, etc. It is believed that this paste purifies the blood and increases immunity. Taste of this paste signifies the course of life as sweet, sour, and bitter.
7. Delicacies are cooked like Shrikhand, Puran Poli, Kheer (sweet porridge kind of dessert usually made with sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. by Marathis), and Sanna.
How To Raise Gudi
1. The area must be cleaned properly where the Gudi will be placed.
2. A Swastika should be made on the ground below the Gudi.
3. A Swastika should be made on the ground below the Gudi.
About Gudhi Padwa
Gudipadva has several names as per the different regions in India.
1. Samvatsar Padvo is celebrated among Konkanis of Goa and Kerala.
2. Rest of the Konkani diaspora in Karnataka know it as Yugadi.
3. People from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana celebrate Ugadi.
4. Kashmiris celebrate it as Navreh.
5. Sajibu Nongma Pānba or Meetei Cheiraoba is celebrated in Manipur.
6. Chaitra Navratri begins from this day for North Indians.
On this day, Marathis hoist the Gudi. That is why this festival is known as Gudi Padava. Gudi is made on a bamboo stick by placing an inverted Kalash of silver, copper, or bronze over it and adorning the bamboo with a beautiful cloth (usually, it is of saffron color and made of silk with brocaded borders). The Gudi is then adorned with Gaathi (sugar crystals garland), Neem leaves, a mango twig, and red-flower garland.
The Gudi is hoisted at a higher place like terrace in home so that it is quite visible to everyone. Many people also stick it on their windows or the right side of their doors.
Significance Of The Gudi
Many beliefs are associated with Gudhi Padva. Some of them are mentioned below:
1. People hoisted Gudi in history when their King Shalivahana defeated Sakas and came back to Paithan, as it is considered as the symbol of victory.
2. Some people also hoist Gudi to commemorate the victories of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
3. As it is believed by some that Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, Gudi is also believed to be the Brahma Dhwaj (Lord Brahma’s flag). Some people also consider it as Indra Dhwaj (flag of Lord Indra). Hence, for some, it is also the beginning of the spring season.
4. Some people hoist Gudi as the symbol of the Lord Rama’s return to the Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
5. Usually, it is believed that hoisting Gudi brings prosperity in life.