Gudi Padwa 2023: History, About Gudi, Food and Rituals

Do you know what happens when the winter fades away, the blossoms begin to bloom, and the air fills with the joyous sounds of celebration? If you are thinking about the festival Gudi Padwa, then folks, you could not be more right. It’s that time of the year when the people of Maharashtra come together to celebrate the beginning of a new year- Gudi Padwa. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and falls on the first day of the Chaitra month, usually in late March or early April. This year we celebrate Gudi Padwa on 22nd March 2023. 

InstaAstro has come today with an exciting scoop on Gudi Padwa 2023. Today, we will explore the origins, significance, and vibrant celebrations of Gudi Padwa and discover why this festival is such an important part of the cultural fabric of Maharashtra. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover the beauty and joy of Gudi Padwa together.

History of Gudi Padwa

Folks, can you name the Lord behind the creation of this whole universe? Yes, without a second, we can name the lord who created this universe, Lord Brahma. The history of this festival is related to the creator of this universe. As per Hindu mythology, the day Lord Brahma created the universe was the day of Gudi Padwa. He gifted us the concept of days, months, and years on the same day.

There are two schools of opinion when it comes to the history behind Gudi Padwa. Some people relate it with Lord Brahma, while some associates it with the oldest epic in Hindu mythology, Ramayana. Yes, you read it right. Now, let us look at what the other side of the story tells us about the history of Gudi Padwa.

It is believed that when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after spending fourteen years in exile, people celebrated this day as Gudi Padwa by hanging dolls outside their houses as a way of celebration. However, besides mythological reference, the history of Gudi Padwa also associates with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Gudi Padwa Significance

According to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the New Year. Also, did you know that this festival is also known as the ‘Ugadi’ in some parts of the country? The word ‘Gudi’ translates to a flag or a banner, and ‘Padwa’ refers to the first day of the Chaitra month in Hindu calendar.

On this auspicious day, people in Maharashtra hoist a ‘Gudi” outside their homes, which is a bright yellow or saffron cloth with a copper or silver pot placed on the top of the bamboo stick. It is believed that Gudi represents the victory of good over evil and also wards off evil spirits and brings good luck and prosperity into an individual’s life. 

Not only this but the significance of of Gudi Padwa goes beyond just being the beginning of a new year. Instead, it is a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and hope. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional rituals. 

Also Read: Unfolding Amazing Facts About Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

Gudi Padwa 2023 Muhurat and Date 

In this section we will learn about the Gudi Padwa 2023 date. This year we celebrate the festival of Gudi Padwa on Wednesday, 22nd March 2023. If we have to know about the Gudi Padwa 2023 muhurat, we have to take the help of Drik Panchang.

As per the calculations done by Drik Panchang, the shubh muhurat for the Pratipada tithi of Shukla Paksha commences from 10:52 pm just a day before the Gudi Padwa, i.e, 21st March 2023 and will end at 8:20 pm on the day of Gudi Padwa. This was the shubh muhurat for the Pratipada tithi of Shukla Paksha, let us now talk about the muhurat for Udayatithi. People will celebrate this festival under the auspicious muhurat which lies between 6:29 AM to 7:39 AM.

Gudi Padwa Pooja Vidhi

• On the day of Gudi Padwa, people perform a pooja. The pooja is a way to invoke blessings from the deities. People perform the pooja early in the morning, usually after taking a bath.
• People clean their houses. They decorate their houses with rangolis and flowers to welcome the new year. People erect the Gudi outside their house as a symbol of victory and to ward off evil spirits.
• Maharashtrian households commonly display a stick outside, adorned with bright cloth, neem leaves and garlands. The stick flutters in the wind, attracting attention.
• People also offer flowers, fruits, coconut, jaggery and sweets to the gods and goddesses as a sign of gratitude. They also perform special prayers to seek blessings from the deities. People wear new clothes during the pooja. 
• On this day, Maharashtrians prepare and relish traditional Gudi Padwa dishes like Puran Poli, Shrikhand and Poori bhaji. They also exchange sweets with their friends and relatives.
• In some parts of Maharashtra, people also organize processions and perform the Lezim which is a traditional dance. People celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and joy and people come together to decorate their homes.
• Lastly, these rituals and traditions play a vital role in uniting the community and spreading joy and happiness during the Gudi Padwa festival. It is also a time for reflection on the past and future.

Things you should donate on Gudi Padwa

Donating or acts of charity hold huge importance in Hindu traditions and culture. In this section, folks, we will discuss what you should donate to Gudi Padwa.

• Prasadam 

First on the list of things you should donate on Gudi Padwa is ‘Prasadam’. According to Maharashtrian culture and beliefs, people donate prasadam on the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa. Prasadam is made up of mixing neem leaves and jaggery. On the day of Gudi Padwa, people eat this prasad and donate it to the needy. 

• Old Books 

Used books and notebooks are the second things the people of Maharashtra prefer to donate on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. However, in some cultures, donating old and used books is not seen as a good thing because people believe that giving away your books means giving away all your knowledge and wisdom.

• Food 

Do you know why people donate food, especially on the occasion of Gudi Padwa? Can’t make any guesses? Don’t worry; let us explain to you why? According to Hindu mythology, if a person donates food like grains, rice, or flour, they are removing the sins of their past lives.

• Clothes  

Last but not least is the item on our list that you should donate to Gudi Padwa. People also donate used clothes to the needy to boost their financial condition. In Hindu mythology, if an individual donates clothes to the poor, they also lessen the impacts of Shani Dasha or Saturn in their kundali. So donating clothes makes the “planet of poverty’ happy.

Also Read: Chaitra Navratri Festival: History And Religious Significance

Steps to Make Gudi 

On this day, people traditionally make a Gudi, which is a decorated pole made of bamboo and cloth and place it outside their homes as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Here are the steps to make a Gudi on Gudi Padwa:

• Gather materials:

You will need a bamboo stick or pole, a bright-coloured cloth like red or yellow, some neem leaves, and some flowers like marigolds.

• Clean the bamboo stick or pole and tie the cloth: 

Take the bamboo stick or pole and clean it thoroughly. Also, take the cloth and tie it around the stick, leaving some space at the top. The cloth should be bright in colour and should have a border design.

• Place the neem leaves:

Take some neem leaves and place them on top of the cloth. Neem leaves are considered to be auspicious and are believed to ward off evil spirits.

Take some flowers, like marigolds and arrange them on top of the neem leaves. You can also add some mango leaves, which are also considered auspicious.

• Add a metallic or silver pot on top: 

You can also add a metallic or silver pot on top of the flowers. This is believed to represent a victory symbol.

• Place the Gudi outside your home: 

Once you have completed making the Gudi, place it outside your home, preferably on a window or balcony. The Gudi should be placed facing the east or north direction.

 Rituals, Food, Festivity and Feast:

• According to Brahma Purana, the world almost came to an end because of a great flood. Lord Brahma rejuvenated the universe on this day. According to some Maharashtrians, this day marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after the exile. People welcomed him by raising the symbol of victory or ‘Gudi’.
• The celebration begins with a bitter-sweet note. First, people eat a particular combination classified as “Bevu-Bella.”
• It contains Neem and Jaggery. And represents that life is a combination of good and terrible, joy and distress.
• The day is ideal for starting new adventures, buying new clothes, ornaments, and booking new flats.
• The Gudi Padwa festival adds cheer and joy. Moreover, people pray to God for prosperity for all. In conclusion, the purpose of celebrating Gudi Padwa is for a world free of all sufferings and diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Also Read: Chaitra Navratri 2023: Significance, Date, Muhurat and Rituals

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