Gudi Padwa (March 25, 2020, Wed) is a cultural festival celebrated in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The same is celebrated as Ugadi in Telugu and Yugadi in Kannada.
On this day, the most important aspect is the hoisting of a Gudi on the right side of a house at the entrance on the pratipada (first day) of Chaitra (March-April).
It is associated with the power of dispelling all negative energies and Sankalp-shakti (power of resolve). Therefore any Sankalpa taken on this day leads to fulfilment.
The Sanskrit word “Padwa” means ‘the very first’. In the Vedic or Sanskrit calendar, it means ‘the first day’. The Gudi Padwa festival is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month which is a highly sacred, auspicious month as it is associated with agriculture.
There are many stories associated with this festival. People worship Lord Brahma who created the cosmic universes on this day.
Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya killing the Lankan King Ravana who had abducted his wife, Sita. People in Maharashtra also honour the great Maratha king Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on this day for protecting the state against his enemies.
What do to on the Gudi Padwa day?
Early Morning Bath: On the very day of Gudi Padwa, it is better to get up during the Brahma Murata time (1 and a half hour before sunrise) and take a special bath called a sabhyang snana which comprises of an oil massage.
Apart from Gudi Padwa, there are other occasions when one can take this bath; the first day of the New Year, the first day of Basant Panchami (Vasant Panchami) and during the three days of Diwali.
Benefits of the bath include: Increase in Sato guna (mode of goodness), the elasticity of the skin (because of oil) and blood circulation.
Decoration: One can decorate one’s entrance with the toran made of mango leaves and red flowers. Mango leaves represent purity and red flowers represent auspiciousness.
Gudi Padwa Samvatsar Puja:
A Vedic puja is performed to invoke the grace of deities and welcome them into our residence. It ensures all the negative forces go away. The Gudi Padwa Samvatsar Puja starts with prayers offered to Lord Brahma because on this he was ordered by Lord Vishnu to create the material worlds.
Following this puja, a Homa (fire sacrifice) is performed to please the gods with sacred oblations given into the fire).
Also, offerings are made to Brahmins. Next is Lord Vishnu worshipped with the recital of ‘नमस्ते बहुह्वपाय विष्णवे नमः (O Vishnu! We bow down to You who manifests Himself in various forms.’ After this worship, the host offers alms or Dakshina to the Brahmins.
One can also offer Vedic books or copy of scriptures. One may think why a Brahmin who is well-versed in scriptures is given books? It is out of gratitude, one offers Dakshina to a Brahmin.
Plus, a Brahmin may gift this book to his other disciples. Vidya –Dana is one of the greatest charities one can ever do.
Benefits of Gudi Padwa Samvatsar Puja include Removal of our sins, prolonged life age, peace and prosperity.
Significance of Gudi:
A Gudi is made using a long bamboo covered with Kalasha (A holy pot) placed upside down and yellow (or any colour) cloth.
The sugar crystals, neem leaves and a twig of mango leaves and a garland of flowers are all used tied to the bamboo.
It is also known as Brahma-Dwaj, the flag of Lord Brahma. It denotes the strength of the spirit over matter, the triumph of good over bad and light over darkness. At sunset, the Gudi is then pulled down after offering the naivadya of guda (Jaggery).
On the day of Gudi Padwa, the cosmic waves of the deities from the spiritual world visit the bhuloka (earthly planets) and enter the house through the Gudi.
After the festival is over, you can use this pot for drinking or storing water. This Kalash is believed to be a receptacle of cosmic sky supercharged with divine elements.
Drinking water from this pot removes all the impurities from your body, purifies all the senses (knowledge acquiring and working) and increases your spiritual strength.