Gudi Padwa! our new year begins today..

I am not born Maharashtrain, but when I was kid we stay in Marathi Mahulla in Indore. Most of my neighbors were Maharashtrians. Most of the faculties and students in my school are Maharashtrians. That’s why I know from today our new year starts. It is also called as GUDI PADWA. I want my kids to know that January 1st is not our's New Year, I want them to remember that according to Hindu calendar our new year starts on Gudi Padwa. Also known as Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Konkanis celebrates it as Sanvsar Padvo. Today is the first day of the Chaitra month.

This festival is supposed to mark the beginning of Vasant(…spring). According to the Gregorian calendar this would fall sometime at the end of March and the beginning of April. This is a time of the year when the sun’s rays increase in intensity, going from calm/mellow to hot. On Gudi padwa the Tej and Prajapati frequencies are effective in large measures. During sunrise on this day, the Chaitanya (…Divine Consciousness) emitted from these frequencies can be retained for a longer period.

There are some myths behind the celebration of Gudi Padwa. It is said that the Universe was created by Brahmaji on this day and Satyuga began. Also, it is believed that King Vali was killed by Ram and Ram returned to Ayodhya triumphant on this day. This is one of the three and a half days in the Hindu Lunar calendar, whose every moment is considered auspicious. It is accumulates in the cells of the personified soul and is used by the embodied soul as and when required. Therefore, within 5-10 minutes of sunrise one should perform ritualistic worship of the Gudi.

There is great rejoicing on this day and apart from the usual rituals like colorful rangoli are designed at the entrance, there is a custom of eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree on this day. Usually a paste of neem leaves, ajwain, tamarind, gul and jiggery is made, this paste is supposed to purify the blood and strengthen the immune system, all the members of the family consume this paste.

ALSO CHECK: Gudi Padwa 2019!

My delicacies like puran poli or sweet rotis, soonth pak, and usal are prepared in Maharastrain families. I am in office so most probably will not able to eat puran polis because there is no special meal in office canteen (…hope our HR team will look into this :)).

The people have the traditional Gudis hanging out of their windows on this day. My school teacher once said the Gudis are a symbol of victory associated with the take-over of the Maratha forces lead by Shivaji Maharaj. The Gudi is a pole with a brass or a silver vessel placed on the top. These poles are covered with colorful silk and flowers like marigold. Decorated with mango leaves and coconuts are tied to it. The Gudi's hanging out of the windows symbolize nature's reward. It is worshipped by offering sandalwood paste, turmeric, and vermilion. Then, boys and young men of the locality form a pyramid and the person on top of the pyramid breaks the coconut which is in the kalash.

Gudi Padvachya Hardik Shubhechha to all of you, may this new year brings good fortune, wealth, prosperity and Happiness.

Cheers,
-K Himaanshu Shukla…

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