Marathi New Year: Rituals that make Gudi Padwa special

Do you know the very interesting part of India? It is that we get to celebrate a new year with every new festival. All thanks to so many cultures and religions prevailing here. Hands down, India is the best place to live your life if you love flavours and warmth. Gudi Padwa is one of the Indian festivals which also marks the Marathi New Year. This symbolises the beginning of a fresh chapter for everyone who celebrates. The festival is observed with vibrant colours, festive foods, and meaningful ritual and it is all about renewal, hope and prosperity.

Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu lunar month of Chaitra. It is such a powerful time because even nature seems to start fresh. These traditions remind us that New Year’s is not just about the calendar change but about different beliefs that we grew up with.

Now, just like any other Indian festival, this festival also has many tied-up rituals which make it unique and special. Let’s read about them.

1. Torans and Rangolis – Not just a Diwali Thing

One thing common in most of the festivals around the world is the fact that people love jazzing up their houses. Gudi Padwa is no different. Just like on Diwali, people love to decorate their houses during Gudi Padwa too with torans, rangoli, flowers, garlands, candles, and so much more. We just get one another day to do all these, and who is saying no to it, right? Mango leaves are one of the auspicious essential home decor items to be used, especially in the puja rooms. These are done to bring positivity into the house along with fresh vibes.

2. Another Festival Another Food Coma – Treat of Maratha Dishes

What are even festivals without special food associated with them! Gudi Padwa, just like any other festival in the world, has some food and menu related specially to it. On this day, every Marathi house smells the most divine with the aromas of the delicious Marathi dishes. Puran Poli, Shrikhand, Poori, and Batata Bhaji are some of the many dishes prepared on this day. The guests are also treated to these and lots of Marathi desserts. It makes this festival a joyful culinary celebration. People even distribute and share food with their neighbours and the needy.

3. Raising the Gudi – The Symbol of Victory and Prosperity

One of the most important rituals of this festival is raising the Gudi. It is all about this festival itself. This is, in fact, the most iconic ritual of Gudi Padwa. The Gudi is hoisted outside the homes. Every Marathi family does this, and the sight outside every house on this day looks incredibly warm. So, basically, a bamboo stick is taken, and an inverted pot is tied to it along with a bright silk cloth, neem leaves, mango leaves, and a sugar garland. This is put outside the house in a raised area. This is done for victory, prosperity, and good fortune for the new year.

4. Rituals over Everything – The Jaggery and Neem Mixture Tradition

Just like there is a ritual to eat til ke laddoos on Makar Sankranti, there is a tradition to eat jaggery and neem mixture on Gudi Padwa. So, neem leaves, jaggery, tamarind, and spices are taken, and a mixture is prepared from these. The elders of the family treat all the family members with this mixture on the morning of this day. This is the main prasad of the festival, and it is consumed to mark that life is filled with sweet and bitter things, and we have to take it as it is.

5. Abhyanga Snan – The Early Morning Oil Bath

To begin the day with positivity is the ultimate goal of this ritual. In many Marathi families, this tradition is still followed. People begin their day with aura cleansing, and that is not done with normal water but through an oil bath ritual. This ritual is considered purifying and auspicious. People believe in starting the New Year with physical and spiritual cleansing by doing this. This ritual is also done on Choti Diwali in some parts of India. It is also done before sunrise. People do a full body massage with warm oil, clean it with ubtan, and then refresh themselves with clean warm water.

6. Devotion and Gratitude – Visiting Temples

This goes without saying. Almost no Indian festival is complete without either visiting the temples or doing some puja. On Gudi Padwa too, people visit temples, the first thing in the morning after hoisting the Gudi outside their houses. People visit any temple of their belief to pay respects to God, seek blessings for the upcoming year, and offer gratitude for the previous year. Post this, people visit their relatives, friends, or even go to have food at some nice places.

7. Dress Up Game – Not without the traditional attire

Is it even a festival when wearing new clothes is not included? No festival in the world is celebrated without new clothes and the excitement that comes with them. So, people wake up, do oil bathing, dress up in new and great clothes and then do the other things of the day. It is not about the new clothes but the freshness, happiness, and excitement that it adds to the day. Mostly, people wear traditional attire and adorn themselves with jewellery and other exciting pieces. It is honestly a fun-filled festival.

8. The start of something new – Starting new ventures

People strongly believe that starting something new on this day is backed by very good luck. So, a lot of people wait and postpone their new beginnings until this day. Since this day is all about prosperity, fresh beginnings, new year, people start some new ventures, plan out something new, start a new habit, or any new push is generally done by people on this day in their lives. Strong belief and luck are what they are focused on about this.

9. Socialising – Community Celebrations and Cultural Events

No festival in India is complete without celebrating it with your friends and family. Many cultural events and community celebrations are organised on this day. People of the Marathi community and others organise different kinds of programmes, mainly cultural ones, in community spaces. People tune in with their families to enjoy these, and of course, it is followed by dance, music, and food. It is a great way to come together and celebrate festivals and have a joyful day. Processions are also taken out in some parts of the country.

Conclusion

Gudi Padwa teaches us stories of hope, fresh beginnings, prosperity, and renewal. Every ritual of this festival we discussed above serves as a quiet reminder that life is a mix of many flavours. The festival teaches us resilience in many ways. The jaggery symbolises the sweetness of success, the neem teaches about the bitterness of the challenges that we do overcome eventually, and all the surprises that lie in between. The spirit of Gudi Padwa quietly encourages us to fill our lives with festive aromas and healthy connections. Happy Gudi Padwa, you all!

Do you know the very interesting part of India? It is that we get to celebrate a new year with every new festival. All thanks to so many cultures and religions prevailing here. Hands down, India is the best place to live your life if you love flavours and warmth. Gudi Padwa is one of…