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Gudi Padwa

The beginning of the Hindu New Year, Gudi Padwa is widely celebrated all over the country and is considered to be the most auspicious day of the Hindu calendar. The first day of the first Hindu month is "shuddha pratipada", which comes in the month of Chaitra. One of the Muhurats among the three and a half Muhurats mentioned in the Hindu calendar, this day is considered to be celestial enough to start with new ventures and businesses, building a new house and even putting the children in the schools.

Gudi Padwa is mainly celebrated because it is believed that it was on this day that Brahma created the Universe, it was on this day that Rama killed Bali and returned to Ayodhya. It can be well seen in the Puranas that on this day the Satayuga-Period of truth and courtesy began. Also it was on this very day that Lord Vishnu incarnated as the Matsaya or the fish. Therefore along with Brahma, Vishnu is also worshipped on this angelic day. On this day a gudi which means a banner along with a silk cloth and a Swastika marked pot is raised. This is done to monumentalize the victorious home coming of the Marathas after a series of malignant battles.

People wash and clean their houses, decorate them with mango leaves and make designs called Rangolis with colored powder using one hand only. A pole known as Gudhi is erected in front of the houses. Utensils and new clothes are bought in large numbers. People go to temples to listen to Panchangasravanam which is a declaration by the priests of the holistic events likely to take place the entire year.

The Prasad made on this comprises of bitter Neem leaves, jaggery, tamarind, rice dish, bobbatlu, holige- sweet stuffed bread and Ugadi Pachadi made of jagerry, raw mango pieces, neem flowers and tamarind is prepared. Majorly a paste is made from the bitter neem leaves and consumed by all as it is believed that it fights with diseases, strengthen the immune system and also purifies the blood.