Gudi Padwa 2024: Date, Significance and Celebration

Next Gudi Padwa Sunday, 30 March 2025

Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year that also marks the arrival of the vibrant Vasant or spring season in India. It will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 9 2024. Gudi Padwa is mainly celebrated by Konkani and Marathi Hindus.

Gudi Padwa is derived from two words- Gudi and Padwa. Gudi means a flag of Lord Brahma whereas Padwa means the first day of the new moon phase in Chaitra month in the Hindu Calendar.

Thus, Gudi Padwa means the beginning of the year in the Hindu Calendar. It is an official holiday in Maharashtra so schools and offices remain closed.

Gudi Padwa Mythological Stories and Their Significance

Creation of the Universe by Lord Brahma

It is believed that Lord Brahma recreated the universe on this day. The sacred Hindu text Brahma Purana mentions that after a devastating flood where time had stopped and people no longer existed, Lord Brahma recreated a new world known as Satyug.

Satyug is also known as the era of truth and justice. Thus, Gudi Padwa is considered an auspicious and a fresh start to the year. This is why Lord Brahma is worshipped on Gudi Padwa.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Victory Against the Mughals

Gudi Padwa is a significant celebration in Maharashtra because Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, leader of the Maratha clan, is said to have defeated the foreign Mughal invaders on this day in the 17th century.

Thus, his bravery and victory on this day are celebrated every year on Gudi Padwa and is a great source of pride and inspiration for people in Maharashtra.

Shree Ram's Coronation Ceremony

Gudi Padwa is also considered to be a holy or auspicious day for Hindus because Shree Ram was finally made the King of Ayodhya after years of exile and defeating the evil King Ravan.

People in Ayodhya celebrated this day by planting and hoisting the Brahm Dhvaj flag.

Gudi Padwa 2024 Celebration, Traditions and Rituals

Making the Gudi

In Maharashtra and elsewhere, people place a 'gudi' in their homes to ward off evil or negative energies.

A gudi is basically a long bamboo stick that is usually covered with a saffron or yellow cloth at the top. Then an inverted copper, brass or silver pot or kalash is placed on it. Some mango or neem leaves, flowers, and sugar crystals are also added.

People worship this gudi right after sunrise which is why they need to bathe and cleanse themselves before sunrise.

Cleaning Homes and Making Rangolis

People also clean their homes to welcome the Marathi New Year. They bathe early in the morning, adorn new clothes, make beautiful rangolis and wish each other on this day.

Rangolis on Gudi Padwa usually consists of a Kalash or pot, bamboo, flowers, and mango leaves.

Special and Traditional Delicacies

Shrikhand Indian dessert is consumed on Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa celebration is incomplete without dishes like Shrikhand puri, puran poli, potato vada, moongdal vade, sev misal, basundi and many more. If you have not yet tried these signature Marathi dishes, you are surely missing out.

Grand Processions

Procession of women in traditional attire on Gudi Padwa

Processions are a common sight on Gudi Padwa. Women don traditional Nauvari sarees and dance in the streets, some ride motorbikes while others march on foot. These annual processions usually start from temple grounds and cover a large area.

Ujjain City Will Welcome Gudi Padwa 2024 With 5 Lakh Lamps

Gudi Padwa 2024 will be celebrated with 5 Lakh lamps at Shipra beach in Ujjain city, Madhya Pradesh. It was previously decided that Ujjain will set a new record of Gudi Padwa celebrations by lighting 26 Lakh lamps but it has now been revised to 5 Lakh.

The sight will be definitely worth seeing!