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Gudhi Padva
Gudhi Padva is an
important festival & one of the 3½ muhurta (auspicious days) in India.
As per Hindu mythology
Lord Brahma, created the Universe on this
day & hence it is believed to be the beginning of the Universe.
Therefore, It is an
ideal day to start a new business, buy a new house, buy a new vehicle, make
an investment etc... So also it is considered one of the best auspicious days
for Maunji bandhan (Thread Ceremony), which marks the beginning of
Brahmacharya Aashram (Student Life), to get married, which marks the
beginning of Gruhastha Ashram (Married Life) and all
other religious or
cultural rituals.
Gudhi Padva is
celebrated on first day of lunar month Chaitra. It is the beginning of the
new year Hindu Shalivahan Shak.
Gudhi - Brahmadhwaj (Flag of Brahma)
On this day Gudhi,
a special kind of a flag
is erected outside the house.
Gudhi also
known as Brahmadhwaj (Flag of Lord Brahma) is a symbol of happiness, joy,
glory, celebration of victory.
This gudhi is made of about 6-10 feet long
wooden stick about ½ - 1 inch diameter. A piece of silk or cotton cloth is tied at one end of the
stick, a silver/stainless steel/brass (pot) is placed on the cloth. A
garland of flowers & another garland of gathi (sugar cookies) is placed
around the pot. A small branch of Kadunimb is also tied. Gudhi is placed on a small wooden plate (Paat).
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How
Gudhi Padva is celebrated?
People get up early in the morning on this day & erect Gudhi
in front of the house near the door or through the window protruding outside
raising high & visible to others.
It is customary to worship the photo of Lord Ganesh on
the front cover page of Panchang (Marathi Ephemeris) and read the
astrological predictions (Sanvatsar Fal) for that Lunar Year beginning on
First day of Chaitra and ending on the last day. Goddess Saraswati is
also worshipped.
On this day a mixture of following elements is prepared and
ground to make a homogeneous paste.
Hing , Mith (Salt), Jeere (Cumin seeds), Owa, Sakahr (Sugar),
Kadubinb Leaves & blossom. This mixture is very good for health.
After the Pooja a
favorite sweet dish is prepared as Naivedya (offering to god). After
the sun set, the Gudhi is removed after the worship. Frineds and
relatives are invited and offered sweets.
Stories behind Gudhi Padva
- Lord Brahma created the Universe
on this day.
- King Shalivahan liberated
Southern India from the slavery of 'Hun' People. He also started the
Shalivahan Shak (Year) from this day. Shalivahan shak 1925 began on
21st March 2004.
- On this day of Chaitra Pratipada,
victorious Lord Ramachandra returned back to Ayodhya (Capitol of of his
kingdom) with his wife Goddess Sita, liberated from the clutches of the
after defeating & killing Ravana (King of Lanka - known as Shri Lanka
today). People of the kingdom of Ayodhya were very happy & delighted
to see their King coming back successful, therefore, everyone erected
Gudhi in front of the house and welcomed their King.
Importance of Gudhi Padva
- It marks the arrival of Spring
Season.
- Harvest for farmers begins with
Gudhi Padva.
- Marathi New Year (Shalivahan
Shak) begins on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada.
- Very auspicious day.
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