Gudi Padwa


Gudhi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus. It is celebrated in and near Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.
The word पाडवा or पाडवो or पाड्ड्वा/पाड्ड्वो comes from the Sanskrit word प्रतिपदा, which refers to the first day of a lunar fortnight. The festival is observed with colorful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi flag, street processions, dancing and festive foods.
In India, first day of the bright phase of the moon is called Gudhi Padwa in Marathi, pāḍya. Konkani Hindus variously refer to the day as सौसार पाडवो or सौसार पाडयो, संसार being a corruption of the word संवत्सर. Telugu Hindus celebrate the same occasion as Ugadi, while Konkani and Kannada Hindus in Karnataka refer to it as युगादि, ಯುಗಾದಿ. The same new year festival is known by other names in different regions of the Indian subcontinent. However, this is not the universal new year for all Hindus. For some, such as those in and near Gujarat, the new year festivities coincide with the five day Diwali festival. For many others, the new year falls on Vaisakhi between 13 and 15 April, according to the solar cycle part of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, and this is by far the most popular not only among Hindus of the Indian subcontinent but also among Buddhists and Hindus in many parts of southeast Asia.
The Sindhi community celebrates this day as Cheti Chand as the new year and observed as the emergence day of Lord Jhulelaal. Prayers are offered to Lord Jhulelaal and the festival is celebrated by making delicacies like Tehri and Saai Bhaaja.

Etymology

Gudhi means flag, erect flag on the houses as part of celebration in Maharashtra where its mainly celebrated.According to Kittel word belongs to South Indian language origin.
The word pāḍavā is derived from the Sanskrit word pratipad for the first day of each fortnight in a lunar month i.e. the first day on which the moon appears after the so-called "new moon" day and the first day after the full moon. A Gudhi is also hoisted on this occasion giving this festival its name. The term padva or padavo is also associated with balipratipad the third day of Diwali which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.

Significance

Gudhi Padva signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of Rabi crops.
The festival is linked to the mythical day on which Hindu god Brahma created time and universe. To some, it commemorates the coronation of Rama in Ayodhya after his victory over evil Ravana, or alternatively the start of Shalivahan calendar after he defeated the Huns invasion in the 1st century.
According to Anne Feldhaus, in rural Maharashtra the festival is linked to Shiva's dance and coming together of the community as they carry the Gudhi Kavads together to a Shiva temple.

The Guḍhī

A notable sight during Gudhi Padwa are the numerous Gudhi arrangements at every household. It is a bright colorful silk scarf-like cloth tied at the top of a long bamboo. On top of it, one or more boughs of neem leaves and mango leaves are attached along with a garland of flowers. This arrangement is capped with a silver, bronze or copper pot signifying victory or achievement. The whole arrangement is hoisted outside each household, typically to the right, or through a window or terrace. It is visible to everybody. Villages or neighborhoods also come together and host a community Gudhi Kavad, which they carry together to the local Shiva temple.
Some temples are located on the top of hills, and groups work together to help reach the kavad to the top.
Some of the significances attributed to raising a Gudhi are as follows:
On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.
Traditionally, families prepare a special dish that mixes various flavors, particularly the bitter leaves of the neem tree and sweet jaggery. Additional ingredients include sour tamarind and astringent dhane seeds. This, like the pacchadi recipe used in Ugadi festival, is eaten as a reminder of life's sweet and bitter experiences, as well as a belief that the neem-based mixture has health benefits.
Maharashtrian families also make many other festive dishes, such as shrikhand and Poori or Puran Poli on this day.

Guḍhī Pāḍavā in other languages, states and people

Known as Guḍhī Pāḍavā in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as
In other parts of India this festival is celebrated during
It is also celebrated in the North-East state of Manipur as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba and also in countries like Nepal, Burma, Cambodia and other nations where there are lot of Hindus. People prepare a variety of food and cuisine on this day and later climb the hillocks in the evening.
In Kashmir, the Kashmiri Hindu or Pundit community, also the Kashmiri Sikh community celebrate this Festival as Navreh, the start of New Lunar Year. A biggish thal viz a brass eating plate is filled with uncooked rice and the new Punchang, the Kashmiri Hindu Ephemeris placed in it. A little cooked rice, curds, salt, all in small cups, crisp currency note and a coin, a pen, some flowers, a golden bangle, a silver ornament, 3 or 5 walnuts are also placed in this Thal. Every one is expected to see this thal, first thing in the morning. Generally, the eldest lady of the household sees it first and then brings it in to show to all sleeping members of the household. Every one is expected to wear a new garment and the children are given some cash to enjoy the festival. The lunch is a feast.
In Punjab the new year is celebrated as Baisakhi falling mostly on 13 or 14 April, first day of month Naisakh of the Bikram Samavt or calendar.
in Bengal this occasion is celebrated as Naba Barsha, in Assam as Bihu, in Kerala as Vishu, in Tamil Nadu as Putuhandu. It is considered as most auspicious day of the year.