Gudi hoisting, festive foods & new beginnings.

Posted on March 21, 2025

Gudi Padwa : Celebrate Marathi New Year

Written by : badhaaido

Category: Gudi Padwa: New Year Celebrations

Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the Hindu Luni-Solar New Year and is widely celebrated by Maharashtrians and Konkanis. This day also signifies the start of a new Samvatsara, the traditional 60-year cycle used in the Hindu calendar, where each year is given a distinct name.

Interestingly, while Gudi Padwa is popular in Maharashtra, the same festival is observed as Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Despite the regional differences in name and customs, the spirit of new beginnings and cultural reverence remains the same.

The hoisting of the Gudi is not just tradition, it is a salute to our resilience, our history, and our cultural pride.- Lokmanya Tilak

🗓️ A New Year by the Luni-Solar Calendar

The Luni-Solar calendar—used in most Hindu traditions—calculates months and days based on the movements of both the Sun and the Moon. This is different from the purely Solar calendar, which considers only the Sun’s position. As a result, the Hindu New Year is celebrated at different times across India, under various names:

– Puthandu in Tamil Nadu

– Vaisakhi in Punjab

– Bihu in Assam

– Pana Sankranti in

– Odisha

– Naba Barsha in West Bengal

🛁 Rituals and Customs of Gudi Padwa

The day starts early with a traditional oil bath, followed by puja and hoisting of the Gudi – a symbolic flag made from silk cloth, neem leaves, flowers, and a pot placed on top. Eating a mixture of neem leaves and jaggery is a common ritual, symbolizing the acceptance of both sweetness and bitterness in life.

In North India, although Gudi Padwa is not celebrated as the New Year, the day is equally auspicious as it marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri. People in the north also consume neem with mishri (rock sugar) as a symbolic gesture for a healthy start.

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🍛 Feasting with Flavor: Gudi Padwa Special Dishes

No festival is complete without food, and Gudi Padwa is no exception! Households prepare mouth-watering dishes like:

Puran Poli – sweet lentil-stuffed flatbreads
Shrikhand – creamy saffron yogurt dessert
Sabudana Khichdi – a light and flavorful fasting dish
The meals are a blend of sweet and bitter, symbolizing the balance of joy and challenges in life.

📅 Gudi Padwa 2025: Date and Muhurat

Date: March 30, 2025
Tithi: Chaitra Shukla Pratipada
Puja Muhurat: Tithi Begins – 04:27 PM to Tithi Ends – 12:49 PM

💡 Modern Ways to Celebrate Gudi Padwa

In today’s digital age, families connect via video calls, send digital greetings, and share memories online. Apps and websites like Badhaai Do offer unique ways to create and send personalized Gudi Padwa greetings, adding a modern touch to this age-old celebration.

📝 Conclusion

Gudi Padwa is more than just a festival—it’s a reminder to celebrate life with enthusiasm, honor traditions, and step into a new chapter with hope and gratitude. As you hoist the Gudi this year, may it bring light, luck, and love into your home.