Gudi Padwa: How to make Gudi in 10 easy steps and perform Gudi Padwa Pooja.

Gudi Padwa is not only celebrated in Maharashtra but is also celebrated throughout India under different names. It is known as Ugadi in Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Panjab, Navreh in Kashmir, Naba Barsha in Bengal and Vishu in Kerala. In Maharashtra it is known as Gudi Padva.

For Hindus, Gudi Padva marks the beginning of new year. It is usually celebrated on the first day of Chitra month as per Hindu lunisolar calendar. In other words it marks the beginning of the new Hindi lunar calendar with a change in the moon’s orbit.

In Maharashtra, people host Gudi outside their homes, on windows or rooftops and do a small Puja. Each item used in the Gudi has its own significance. Gudi is said to be a symbol of good luck and brings prosperity by removing evil. It is said that hosting Gudi brings victory over evil like anger, jealousy etc. There is a common quote about Guid padwa as:

“गुढी उभारू आनंदाची,समृद्धीची, आरोग्याची,समाधानाची आणि उत्तुंग यशाची”

As per Hindu calendar there are three and half shubh muhurat (auspicious times) and Gudi Padwa is one of these muhurat. So people start auspicious work, buy new property, new vehicle or jewelry on this day. This day is considered good to start anything new.

How to make Gudi and host it in 10 easy steps.

Here is a guide on how to host Gudi. Our day starts at sunrise and ends at sunset. Hence, Gudi is hosted with dignity at sunrise and taken down with dignity at least 10 mins before sunset. Mentioned below are the steps on how to make Gudi and host it:

1. Take a kalash and use kumkum to make a swastik on it. Apply some turmeric on it and then using kumkum make 5 naam (straight lines) on the kalash. Use of Kalash on Gudi signifies यशश्री (Yashashri meaning for winning or success). Use of haldi kumkum (हळदी कुंकुम) signifies सौभाग्य (meaning long life for husband)
2. Next, take a clean bamboo stick ( velu kathi). Make naams in a group of 5 on the Bamboo stick using kumkum. You can also use turmeric or chandan to make naam. Use of velu kathi (वेलू काठी) signifies सामर्थ्य (meaning power or strength).
3. Tie a new orange cloth to the stick. Most of the people, tie new saree having zari to the stick by making saree pleats of the entire saree. Some people also tie a blouse piece to the gudi. To tie the saree do not use sutali rope (jute twine rope). You can use any other rope. Use of Zari saree (जरी सारी) signifies वैभव (meaning glory or for prosperity)
4. Now tie a small branch of neem leaves to the stick with the saree. Use of neem leaves (कडू लिंब) significance आरोग्यम (meaning good health).
5. Next, tie the string of sugar candies (Batasha maal) to this stick. Use of Batasha maal (बत्ताशा माल) signifies माधुर्य (meaning sweetness in life). Now finally put the kalash upside down on the stick and our Gudi is ready to host. Gudi should be hosted in such a way that it can be seen from the right side of the house.
6. Next to host the Gudi use a paath / chowki (a large wooden stool used for sitting in a pooja room). Make rangoli beside the chowki and decorate the chowki. Finally place the Gudi on the chowki. After placing the Gudi on the chowki, secure it tightly to the door or window or the place you are hosting it with thread, so that it doesn’t fall down. Use of Paat (पाट) signifies स्थेय्रा (meaning stability).
7. Place a Haar (garland of flowers) on the Gudi. Use of Haar (पुष्प हार) signifies मांगल्य (meaning auspiciousness). Also place betel nut (सुपारी) in front of the Gudi. Use of Betel nut signifies संकल्प (meaning resolution for new year).
8. Do pooja of the Gudi by applying haldi kumkum and akshada (rice grains). Lit a Diya and an incense stick in front of the Gudi. Finally, offer a coconut to the Gudi and pray to the Gudi. Coconut (श्रीफळ) signifies सिद्धी (meaning accomplishment).
9. Offer, Puran poli or Shrikhand puri to Gudi as prasad and distribute the neem and jaggery mixture prasad to everyone in the house.
10. In the evening 10 mins before sunset take the Gudi down. Before taking the Gudi down, do pooja of Gudi once again by applying kumkum and turmeric and offering coconut. The Batasha maal (sugar candies) tied to the Gudi is eaten as Prasad after taking the Gudi down.

Step to do Gudi Padwa Pooja or Other rituals performed on the day of Gudi padwa.

1. Get up early and take bath with neem leaves in water / oil / Sugandhi utane (Aromatic Ubtan):

Neem leaves have special importance on this day. Good padwa is said to be a symbol of good over bad. Similarly starting the day with neem leaves bath helps to cleanse our body from skin ailments and allergies. After bathing, people wear new clothes.

2. Make beautiful rangoli at your entrance:

No hindu festival is complete without a rangoli. Rangoli brings good luck, prosperity in the house. It is a great way of welcoming guests. I often involve my little one in making rangoli. Now-a-days huge rangolis are made on roads and near temples on the occasion of Gudi padwa.

3. Hang a toran (decorative door hanging) made up of Mango leaves at the entrance of house:

This is an age-old tradition and a custom to hang a torn made up of mango leaves at the entrance. Toran in Sanskrit means gateway. Mango leaves are said to keep evil spirits away and stop negative energies from entering the house. Hence a mango leaves toran is hung at this gateway of entrance in the house.

4. Pray to lord and and do Panchang Poojan:

There is a tradition of doing the poojan (worship) of Ganpati on panchang (a traditional hindu calendar) and reading panchang (horoscope) on this day. Many people buy and worship new panchang on this day and read Samvatsar Phala.

5. Consume Prasad prepared using neem leaves and jaggery:

Dring Gudi Padwa, it is a tradition to have neem leaves with jaggery as prasad. Neem is full of antioxidants and jaggery boots immunity. Together they help to strengthen the body. So having neem leaves with jaggery as prasad on the first day of new year is believed to help us throughout the year.

6. Host Gudi.

A Gudi is hosted outside homes, on windows or rooftops and a small Puja is performed. Gudi is hosted as a symbol of good luck and brings prosperity by removing evil.

Gudi Padwa Procession:

Now-a-days at many places in Maharashtra and especially in Mumbai a Shoba Yatra (annual procession) is organized on Gudi padwa. In this yatra, women and men wear traditional Maharashtrian costume, tie a turban (pheta) on the head and ride motorbikes. Women are also seen playing drums in traditional attire. The entire procession is worth watching and gives a glimpse of Maharashtrian culture.

नव वर्षाच्या आणि गुढीपाडव्याच्या शुभेच्छा

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