As per Konkanis Hindu and Maharashtrians, GudiPadwa is celebrated as the New Year day. It is celebrated in the month of March or April, that is, the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar. It is believed that Lord Brahma created the world on this day. There are several names with which this festival of GudiPadva is celebrated in different parts of the country. This festival is also known asGudhiPadwa in Mumbai, inAndra Pradesh and Karnataka it is called as Ugadi and in Kashmir, it is celebrated asNau Roz. In Punjab it is called Baisakhi, Sindhi call it Cheti Chand, in Bengal it is called NabaBarsha, in Assam it is celebrated as GoruBihu and in Tamilnadu, it is known as Puthand. Finally, in Kerela it is called as Vishu. This festival holds high importance for the people and is celebrated with lot of zeal and enthusiasm. It is celebrated with different names by different people and everyone enjoys this festival following their rituals. It is considered to be a fine day to start with anything new and important in life. People worship the divine power and seek the blessings for wealth, success and well being of them as well as their family members.
Why is the festival of GudiPadva celebrated?
It is considered that on the GudiPadwa day, the universe is created. It is also believed that after Lord Brahma created the world on this occasion, Satyayug was started and so it is considered as a new year. At the time of sunrise, all the divine consciousness is absorbed, that is why,GudiPadwa is celebrated for 5 to 10 minutes during sunrise.
It is also assumed that the TejTatva waves that have five principles and waves of Prajapati are also developed on this day. These waves are stored in the body of a person.
Some scientific reasons are also there behind the celebration of GudiPadva. It is believed that those who perform meditation to live a healthy life used to celebrate the festival of GudiPadva by worshipping Gudi in the early period of sunrise. They used to do this on the account of the belief that the benefits that are obtained by performing meditation at the early morning hoursprovides lasting effects on the health of an individual and protects him from several health related ailments. The divine consciousness that is obtained at the early morning hours is able to be absorbed by the body for longer hours and it helps the person to remain fit and active all day long.
On the occasion of GudiPadva, people used to dress up in new clothes and celebrate the beginning of New Year along with their family members. People used to distributenew clothes and Sweets to the needy people on the occasion of GudiPadva. Family gatherings are organized and all the members of the family celebrate this festival together. The festival of GudiPadva also symbolizes the colors of spring as people used to dress up in new and clean clothes on this occasion. This day is considered to be very auspicious for any kind of new beginning as it is believed to provide with positive effects. Negativities are eradicated from the life of a person and he is filled with a new, fresh and positive energy.
What is the method of raising Gudi?
The Gudi is raised on the right side of the entrance of the house or Pooja area since it is believed that right side is an active state of a soul. Before the program starts, the area of Pooja is cleaned and after that, a Rangoli is drawn into the shape of Swastik on the ground. Kumkum and Turmeric are spread over the Rangoli. While making Gudi, Shiva Shakti is to be invoked. Sushumnanadi is a symbol of Gudi in the body. The Gudi is placed at the doorway.
O Lord Vishnu, Lord Brama! Is the mantra that should be chanted on this day. It absorbs the five principles and principle of creation from the atmosphere. This prayer gives energy to the body and spirit as the Gudi is considered as a symbol of winners or victory. Many Gods are worshipped on this day to achieve victory at different levels.
In the villages, the houses are decorated with cow dung and Rangolies. Women and children wear new dresses and design Rangoli at doorstep. Different color of mirrors is utilized for ornamentation. Everyone wears new clothes and decorate the Pooja area. Family gatherings are also done. All family members eat sweets made with leaves of the neem tree to start the occasion. They mix the sweet with dhane , tamarind and Gul or Gur. This paste is eaten by everybody as it improves the immune system and fight against diseases. In Maharashtra, people make Poorishrish and PuranPuli on the occasion. Kheer, jiggery, coconut milk, sweet potato, rice flour Sanna etc. is also prepared.
Doorsteps of the houses are decorated with Rangoli on this occasion. People used to decorate their houses with flowers and lights to celebrate the beginning of a new year. The divine power is worshipped on this occasion and people seek their blessings for success and well being. It is also believed that all kinds of problems and difficulties are eradicated from the path of success of a person if he starts his work on the occasion of GudiPadva. This occasion is considered to be perfect for the beginning of any new thing that holds importance in the life of a person. Thus, the festival of GudiPadva is able to provide a person with success, wealth and well being and provides protection from any kind of problem and difficulty in life. The worshippers are blessed with success and well being in life are able to overcome all their enemies.
