Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year, has commenced in Nagpur on March 30, 2025. The vibrant festival initiates the Hindu lunisolar calendar and is celebrated far and wide in Maharashtra and parts of Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Gudi Padwa, literally "Gudi" (victory flag) and "Padwa" (first day of the lunar fortnight), signifies new beginnings, prosperity, and the victory of good over evil.
On this auspicious day, individuals in Nagpur get up early, perform a ritual bath, and dress in new clothes, women typically in traditional Maharashtrian sarees and men in kurta-pajamas and turbans.
houses are adorned with the Gudis, which are colorful cloth-colored flags of green or yellow color tied to a bamboo stick. These consist of flowers, mango leaves, and on top of the arrangement there is a pot, which signifies prosperity. This Gudi is displayed openly near houses or in windows to proclaim good fortune.
The festivities of Nagpur include cultural festivities with traditional music and dance like Lezim and Dandiya Raas.
The festival is commemorated with specific foods like Puran Poli, Shrikhand, and Neem Pachadi. The festival not only marks the arrival of spring but also celebrates the rabi harvest seasons.
As family and friends gather to celebrate Gudi Padwa, messages of love, happiness, and prosperity are sent.
The festival serves as a reminder of Maharashtra's rich cultural background and encourages people to unite through collective celebrations.
The current year's Gudi Padwa celebrations are particularly special as they occur on the same date as some of the biggest Hindu festivals like Ugadi and Chaitra Navratri, which further augment the festive atmosphere across the region.
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