The Hindu holiday of Gudi Padwa is observed in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is typically observed on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra, which on the Gregorian calendar usually corresponds to late March or early April.
The festival is regarded as a celebration of the spring season and the start of the New Year based on the Hindu lunar calendar. On Gudi Padwa, people prepare festive foods and decorate their homes with flowers and vibrant rangoli patterns. A Gudi, a ceremonial flag, is also flown at the entrances of residences and temples to mark the festival. Gudi Padwa is a significant festival that people of all ages in the state of Maharashtra widely observe.
Gudi Padwa occurs when?
The Hindu lunar calendar month of Chaitra, which on the Gregorian calendar usually falls in late March or early April, is when Gudi Padwa is traditionally observed. The Hindu lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar and is predicated on the cycles of the moon, so the precise date of Gudi Padwa varies every year. For the precise date of Gudi Padwa in a given year, check online or with your local Hindu community.
The Gudi Padwa facts
- Take a moment to review the details and importance of Gudi Padwa.
- The most well-known legend connected to the Gudi Padwa festival is the one about the day Lord Rama vanquished King Ravana and returned to Ayodhya.
- GP serves as a representation of the wife and husband’s love and devotion. Parents invite their recently wed daughter and her spouse to dinner.
- Gudi Padwa is a festival that is enjoyed with loved ones. On the day before the festival, when folks light diyas and float them in bodies of water by mounting them on leaves, anyone is welcome to participate in the procession.
- On this day, people worship Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati.
- It is known as Chaitra Navratri in some regions when devout people fast and worship both Lord Rama and Goddess Durga.
Significance of Worshipping Gudi
The Gudi is prayed to between five and ten minutes before sunrise. It is believed that around this time of sunrise, the divine is effective in making and is stored in the body’s cells for use as needed. Since the Gudi should be placed close to the home’s main entrance, extreme caution must be taken when raising it. When facing the house, the location must be on the right side. The right side represents our soul’s active state, which is the significance behind this.
The chosen location is cleaned before the Gudi is raised, and a Rangoli with Swastika is created there. On the swastika, vermillion and turmeric are offered as positive symbols. Gudi, which represents victory, is raised to represent that God triumphs in all forms of conflict. At the front door of the house and all around Gudi, rangolis are created.
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