Gudi Padwa 2021: Date, timings and significance of Maharashtrian New Year

Gudi flags being made by traditional artists | Pic/Bipin Kokate

The festival of Gudi Pdwa also known as Samvatsar Padvo is the Maharashtrian New Year that marks the beginning of spring. This year, the festival will be celebrated on April 13, Tuesday by the people of Maharashtra and Goa.

The festival is celebrated as Ugadi in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

On this day, people hoist Gudi flags, prepare sweet and savoury food, and decorate their houses with rangolis and mango leaves. They wake up early and start assembling the Gudi flag and take oil bath.

Tithi

The date for the festival is determined by the Hindu luni-solar calendar. This year, Pratipada Tithi begins at 8 am on April 12 and ends at 10.16 am on April 13.

Significance

This festival essentially marks the victory of good over evil. The Gudi flag is hoisted to commemorate Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, return to Ayodhya with Sita and Laxmana and his crowning thereafter.

It also celebrates the many flavours of life. The food prepared on this day is predominantly sweet, spicy and savoury which commemorates the different flavours of life. People of Maharashtra make the ritualistic Shrikhand Puri, on this day, to give a sweet beginning to the New Year.

In the northern part of India, the same day, marks the beginning of Chaitra Navaratri.