India Beckons wishes its readers a very Happy Gudi Padwa!
Gudi Padwa (the first day after the new moon day or amavasya in the month of Chaitra) is celebrated as the New Year day in Maharashtra, while it also is commemorated in different parts of the country as Ugadi (Telugu New Year), Yugadi (Kannada New Year), Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year) and Navreh (Kashmiri New Year).
This is one of the biggest harvest festivals in India, marking the advent of spring. According to the Brahma Purana, Lord Brahma created the world on this day after the great deluge.
Traditional Maharashtrian families display a conventional arrangement called Gudi in front of their homes from which the festival of Gudi Padwa gets its name. To the tip of a long bamboo stick (called the Gudi), a green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade or zari is tied along with a pot.
This Gudi is said to symbolize Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and marks the occasion of his coronation following his return after 14 years of exile. The tradition is to place the Gudi to the right side of the main entrance – which is symbolic of victory against evil, good luck, and prosperity.
Rangolis are also drawn and torans are hung as decorations outside the homes to celebrate this day. India Beckons wishes everyone a very Happy New Year – may this be an auspicious start, bringing in luck, joy, and prosperity.
