Happy Gudi Padwa 2018: How Maharashtra is celebrating the new year
Hundreds of people in Mumbai took part in ‘shobha yatra’ on Sunday to celebrate Gudi Padwa, a festival that marks the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu calendar and is celebrated in and around Maharashtra. Dressed in traditional attire people sing and dance with dhol tashas along with lezim.
A spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi Hindus, Gudi Padwa is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. On the same day, Ugadi calls for New Year celebrations in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The day is considered extremely auspicious as it is believed that on this very day, Lord Brahma had created the universe – hence, it is considered the beginning of the Satyayug. Click through to see how the festivals are being celebrated.
People participate in a procession on the occasion of Gudi Padwa (Marathi Hindu new year) celebrations in Mumbai. (Source: Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)
Like many other festivals, Gudi Padwa – the Maharashtrian New Year – is also a harvest festival. The day signifies the end of one season and the beginning of another. Maharashtrian dressed in traditional attires take part in a procession celebrating 'Gudi Padwa' or the Maharashtrian New Year at Girgaum Mumbai. (Source: Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)
Maharashtra’s legendary warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, first started celebrating Gudi Padwa after his victory. (Source: Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)
The word Padwa is derived from the Sanskrit word Paddava, which means the first day of the bright phase of the moon. A Gudi means a flag. A stick decorated with a bright cloth, neem leaves and garlands is unfurled outside a Maharashtrian household and hence, it got the name Gudi Padwa. (Source: Express photo by Dilip Kagda)
The tradition of raising the Gudi was initiated by Shivaji and since then, Marathi households follows it to welcome the New Year. (Source: Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)
Over the years, female participation in the yatra has increased. Sayali Raorane, who is a dhol tasha player in a group called Garjana said females match men in performing at the ‘cultural show’. (Source: Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)
Women dressed in Nauvari sari, wearing pagdi rides on motorcycles to participate in the procession. (Source: AP)
Women wearing 'Nauvari Saris' display swords during a procession on the occasion of Gudi Padwa (Marathi Hindu new year) celebrations in Mumbai. (Source: PTI)
A girl dressed in a traditional sari takes a selfie as she participate in a procession on the occasion of Gudi Padwa (Marathi Hindu new year) celebrations in Mumbai. (Source: PTI)
A girl dressed in a traditional sari takes a selfie as she participate in a procession on the occasion of Gudi Padwa (Marathi Hindu new year) celebrations in Mumbai. (Source: AP)
A woman beats a drum as she participates in a rally to celebrate Maharashtrian New Year in Mumbai. (Source: AP)
Gudi Pdwa celebrations on in full swing in Dombivli, Maharashtra. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)
Women decked up in traditional garb ride scooties and bikes as part of Gudi Pdwa celebrations in Dombivli, Maharashtra. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)
Women decked up in traditional garb ride scooties and bikes as part of Gudi Pdwa celebrations in Dombivli, Maharashtra. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)