Gudi Padwa 2022- Date, rituals and significance

The Hindu festival, Gudi Padwa is an important festival that is celebrated with great zeal around the country. Gudi Padwa is celebrated during Chaitra month of Indian calendar. The festival of Gudi Padwa is also known by other name called Samvatsar Padvo. 

The day marks the beginning of the traditional New Year for Marathi Hindus particularly in the central Indian states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This important festival of religious significance arrives during the spring season. Basically, Padwa is a Sanskrit word for Pratipada tithi, the first day of a lunar month. 

People make vibrant rangolis, sweet dishes and decorate their houses with great enthusiasm. In Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Gudi padwa is commonly known as Ugadi. Before we enter this Marathi New Year with joy and pleasure, let us find out the importance, legend, benefits and rituals behind its celebration. Read till end to know in detail.

Gudi Padwa 2022, date and time: 

The festival of Gudi padwa usually falls towards the end of March or starting of April in the Gregorian calendar. In the year 2022, the shubh muhurat of the Gudi Padwa festival will begin on 1st April, 2022 at 11.53 AM and end on 2nd April 2022, at 11.58 AM. People should commence and complete the puja within this stipulated time. 

Significance of Gudi padwa 2022:

The festival of Gudi padwa is celebrated in the honor of Lord Brahma. Devotees worship and offer prayers to Lord Brahma- the creator of the universe, on this auspicious day. The scriptures and legends state that Lord Brahma created the universe on the day of Gudi Padwa only. In Maharashtra, the day is celebrated with grandeur and enthusiasm. It is believed that this festival removes all miseries and evil and also help to attract good luck and prosperity in life. With this auspicious day, Chaitra Navratri also begins. Gudi Padwa has been considered as one of the most auspicious muhurat out of 3 sadhe teen muhurats- Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, Vaishakha Shukla Pratipada and Kartik Shukla Pratipada, the half Muhurat.

History of Gudi padwa 2022:

According to Hindu mythological scriptures, the day of Gudi Padwa symbolizes the auspicious day when this universe was created by Lord Brahma. Apart from this, it also symbolizes the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. So, it marks victory as well. The Gudi or pataka raised on the day of Gudi Padwa symbolizes a victory flag always held high.

We may summarize its significance as follows:

• Gudi Padwa festival marks the arrival of spring season and reaping season of the Rabi crops.
• In Maharashtra, this Gudi Padwa festival has been linked to Lord Shiva’s destructive dance called tandava. Devotees come together as a community and they carry the Gudhi Kavads together to the closest Lord Shiva temple.
• The word “Gudi or Gudhi” means an erected flag on the houses. The day refers to the first day after the full moon i.e. pratipada tithi.
• Gudi Padwa has been linked with the Hindu Lord Brahma. According to Brahma Purana, it is believed that the Lord started creating time and universe on this auspicious day.
• It was on the day of Gudi Padwa that the Shakya calendar began in 78 A.D. On this day, Gautamiputra Satakarni of the Shalivahan dynasty defeated the Shakyas.

Rituals of Gudi padwa 2022:

• On the occasion of Gudi padwa, people get up early in the morning and apply oil to their bodies after bath.
• Women clean their houses and decorate them using cow dung cakes on this significant day.
• They also decorate the entrance gate with mango leaves and vibrant flower garlands.
• Mostly, women or young girls make intricate yet colorful rangolis outside their home at the main entrance.
• People come together as community and organize get-togethers to have fun together. Various delicacies are prepared in the houses and everyone looks happy in new and tidy clothes. 
• People also prepare a recipe called Pachadi and serve them during the Ugadi festival.
• Pachadi sweets include various flavors and are made of neem leaves (bitter), jaggery (sweet), coriander seeds (astringent) and tamarind (sour). These are considered good for health.
• On this auspicious day, Maharashtrian families also make other delicacies like shrikhand, poori and puran poli.
• People also tie bright colored silk cloth on sticks or bamboo and decorate them with neem leaves and flowers. Hoisting of Gudi signifies removing evil and bringing in good luck and prosperity.

Gudi hoisting 2022, significance and process:

It is believed that ‘Gudi’ indicates ‘Brahmadhvaj’ which means the flag of Brahma. 

Complete guide to Gudi hoisting

• You have to tie a yellow, green or red cloth at the top of a bamboo stick.
• After that, put neem and mango leaves around the cloth. Neem leaves signify purification while mango leaves stand for a fresh beginning.
• Decorate it with flower garland and sugar crystals.
• People also prepare rangoli around Gudi to seek divine blessings.
• Now put an inverted copper or silver pot over the cloth and also draw swastika with kumkum on it.
• Now hoist the Gudi on the right side of the entrance of your home.
• Family members recite vedic mantras and offer bhog to Gudi.
• The puja is complete the next day when family members drink kept water inside the inverted pot to seek divine blessings for prosperity and security.

May this Marathi New Year bring peace and joy in your lives. 

Happy Gudi Padwa!