Gudi Padwa : Hindu New Year

Gudi Padwa 2016

Gudhi Padva (Guḍhī Pāḍavā)
A Gudhi is erected on Gudhi Padva
Official name	Gudhi Padva or Samvatsar Padvo
Observed by	Hindus, Balinese, Mauritius new year
Type	Hindu lunar new year's Day
Celebrations	1 day
Begins	Chaitra Shuddha Padyami
Date	March/ April
2016 date	April 8 (Friday)
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Hindu calendar

Gudhi Padva (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा Guḍhī Pāḍavā; Telugu ఉగాది Ugadi; Kannada: ಯುಗಾದಿ Yugadi), is the Sanskrit name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The word पाडवा(pāḍavā) or पाडवो(pāḍavo) comes from the Sanskrit word पड्ड्वा/पाड्ड्वो(pāḍḍavā/pāḍḍavo), which stands for the first day of the bright phase of the moon called प्रतिपदा (pratipadā) in Sanskrit.
In south India, first day of the bright phase of the moon is called pāḍya (Kannada: ಪಾಡ್ಯ; Telugu: పాడ్యమి, paadyami; Konkani: पाड्यॆ, ಪಾಡ್ಯ). Konkani Hindus variously refer to the day as संसर पाडवो or संसर पाड्यॆ (saṁsāra pāḍavo / saṁsāra pāḍye), संसार (saṁsāra) being a corruption of the word संवत्सर (saṁvatsara). Konkani Hindus in Karnataka also refer to it as उगादि, ಯುಗಾದಿ (ugādi).

Guḍhī Pāḍavā in other languages, states and people

Known as Guḍhī Pāḍavā ("Gudhee Paadavaa") in Maharashtra, this festival is also known as

• Samvatsar Padvo among Hindu Konkanis of Goa and Konkani diaspora in Kerala
• Yugadi among the rest of Konkani diaspora in Karnataka and Ugadi in Andhra pradesh and Navreh or Navreh amongst Kashmiri Pandits

In other parts of India this festival is celebrated during

• Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and telangana
• Yugadi in Karnataka
• Cheti Chand among the Sindhi people

It is also celebrated in the North-East state of Manipur where it is known by the name Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba. People prepared a variety of cuisine on this day and later in the evening people climb nearby hillock.

Etymology

The word Pāḍavā is derived from the Sanskrit word Pratipada for first day of a lunar month i.e. first day after new moon day (Amavasya). A Guḍhī is also hoisted on this occasion giving this festival its name. The term padva or padavo is also associated with Balipratipada the third day of Diwali which is another celebration that comes at the end of the harvesting season.

Astronomical

This new moon day has special meaning from Astronomy point of view. The Sun is supposed to be in first point of Aries, (Hamal) which is first sign of zodiac and is a natural beginning of spring. Many civilzations have known this.

People of ancient Egypt knew this and Nowruz (literally "New Day" ) in Persia is also based on this observation.

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The Sun however may not be exactly in Aries due to Lunar month. This is adjusted by adding a "Adhika" (Literally an extra) Lunar month every three years to ensure New Year Day( "Gudhee Padwa") indeed matches observed season. See Panchang for details.

It has evolved into of many festivals Holi, Gudhee Padwa around this part of year in India It is one of the most famous harvesting festival in India.

Chronological

Being the first day of the first month of the year, Gudhi Padwa is the New Year's Day for Marathi people. This day is known as Ugadi in Karnataka region, and people used to wish each other on this day. This year, Gudi Padwa 2016 will be celebrated on 8th April.

Agricultural

India is a predominantly agrarian society. Thus celebrations and festivals are often linked to the turn of the season and to the sowing and reaping of crops. This day marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one. In this context, the Gudhi Padwa is celebrated at the end of the Rabi season. Guḍhī Pāḍavā is one of the Saadhe-Teen Muhurta (translation from Marathi: 3 and a half auspicious days) in the Indian Lunar calendar. The full list is as follows -

• Gudhi Padwa- 1st Tithi of Chaitra (Bright Half)
• Akshaya Tritiya- third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha
• Vijayadashami - 10th Tithi of Ashwin
• Balipratipada - 1st Tithi of Kartika (Bright Half)

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Historical

This day also commemorates the commencement of the Shaka calendar after Gautamiputra Satakarni, also known as Shalivahan defeated sakas in battle in 78 A.D.

Religious

According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world after the deluge and time began to tick from this day forth.

Seasonal

On this day, the sun assumes a position above the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians. According to the Hindu calendar, this marks the commencement of the Vasanta ritu or the spring season.

The Guḍhī

On Guḍhī Pāḍavā, a gudhi is found sticking out of a . window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households. Bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gaathi (sugar crystals), neem leaves and a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. Altogether, it is called as Gudhi. It is hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.

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Some of the significances attributed to raising a Gudhi are as follows:

• It symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana over Sakas and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.
• Gudhi symbolizes the Brahmadhvaj (translation: Brahma’s flag) mentioned in the Brahma Purana, because Lord Brahma created the universe on this day. It may also represent Indradhvaj (translation: the flag of Indra).
• Historically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudhi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile. So, people celebrated victory of lord Rama every year by raising Gudi. Gudi is symbol of victory of lord Rama
• Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.

The Gudhi is positioned on the right side of the main entrance of the house. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul.

Festivities

On the festive day, courtyards in village houses will be swept clean and plastered with fresh cow-dung. Even in the city, people take the time out to do some spring cleaning. Women and children work on intricate rangoli designs on their doorsteps, the vibrant colours mirroring the burst of colour associated with spring. Everyone dresses up in new clothes and it is a time for family gatherings.
Traditionally, families are supposed to begin the festivities by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree. Sometimes, a paste of neem leaves is prepared and mixed with dhane, gul/gur (known as jaggery in English), and tamarind. All the members of the family consume this paste, which is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.

Maharashtrian families also make shrikhand and Poori or Puran Poli on this day. Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer, a variety of Kheer made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery, rice flour, etc. and Sanna.

Here are 10 facts you need to know about Gudi Padwa

The festival of Gudi Padwa is right around the weekend, and being a part of the city that celebrates every festival with grandeur, we observe why the festival is celebrated and shed light on its significance.

1. Gudi Padwa is the first day of Chaitra month that marks the beginning of the New Year according to lunisolar Hindu calendar.

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2. It has many names such as Samvatsar Padvo, Yugadi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand or and Navreh. It is also celebrated in the North East state of Manipur and is known as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba. The people prepare a variety of cuisines on this day and later climb a nearby hillock in the evening.

3. India is a predominantly agrarian society where agriculture is the main occupation. Gudi Padwa is one of the most famous harvesting festivals of India that marks end of one season and beginning of a new one.

Picture credits: www.viniesapori.net

4. On this day the position of the Sun is above the point of intersection of the equator, which according to the Hindu calendar marks the commencement of the Spring Season.
5. Mythologically, this day too celebrates the defeat of Ravana in the hands of Lord Rama and his eventual happy return to Ayodhya.

6. Maharashtra’s Great Warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the person who started the Gudi Padwa celebrations after his victory. The tradition of raising the Gudi was initiated by Shivaji and from then on has been followed by every Marathi household to welcome the New Year.

Picture credits: kiranjadhav.in

7. The Gudi is observed at the entrance of Maharashtrain households. So what is it? A Gudi is a stick covered in a bright cloth adorned with brocade or zari that has been topped with sugar crystals, neem leaves, twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers. This is covered by a silver or copper pot in an inverted position.

Picture credits: lovelyheart.in

8. The festivity is observed by people engaging in spring cleaning and wearing new clothes. Families are supposed to begin this day by eating bittersweet leaves of neem tree or a paste which is prepared with neem leaves, jaggery and tamarind. The paste is believed to purify blood and strengthen the body’s immune system.

Picture credits: www.myipub.com

9. The traditional Maharashtrain food fare on this day consists of Shrikhand and Puri and Puran Poli. The Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer which is a sweet dish made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery and rice.

Picture credits: www.pinterest.com

10. Buying gold, new vehicle or anything new is considered to bring prosperity if done on this day.

Bhagwat Parivar to organise dance drama on Gudi Padwa

       Bhagwat Parivar's genesis lies in a cultural event it held in 1998 to celebrate Tulsi Panchshati Samaro (the 500th birth anniversary of Sant Tulsidas).

Sri Bhagwat Parivar — a Mumbai-based organisation founded in 1998 to promote Indian values and culture — will organise 'Atulya Bharat', a dance drama showcasing the country's rich heritage, on the occasion of Gudi Padwa on Friday.

Bhagwat Parivar's genesis lies in a cultural event it held in 1998 to celebrate Tulsi Panchshati Samaro (the 500th birth anniversary of Sant Tulsidas). A number of saints, men of letters and experts in Hindi literature and culture ensured that the nine-day event was a grand success and in view of the encouragement received from the public at large, it was decided that the organisation would dedicate itself to promoting Indian values within the country and abroad.

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It was towards this end that Bhagwat Parivar's members came in contact with Ramayan Centre, an organisation set up in Mauritius in 2001. Rajendra Arun, a well-known thinker and Ramayan expert, is the chairman of the centre, which has two sections — a learning centre for studies and research and a spiritual centre to promote self-awareness and inner development. The organisation is even constructing a Ram mandir in Mauritius, and Bhagwat Parivar is extending support to this endeavour by providing architectural expertise and assistance in other areas. The inauguration of the temple is expected to be held in November 2016.

That apart, Bhagwat Parivar is also involved in various social activities within the country. For instance, it organises mass marriages in tribal areas every year, with 178 couples taking part in Vikramgarh in 2015. Plus, it distributes school bags, uniforms, notebooks and other study material to needy students at the beginning of each academic year, apart from providing scholarships to disabled students.

Now, with an eye on the future, Bhagwat Parivar intends to establish a skills development centre in certain tribal villages, where youngsters would be trained as electricians, plumbers, mechanics, etc. A learning centre will also be set up in Mumbai to promote the study of Indian heritage and culture.


Wish u Happy Baisakhi 2016