Gudi Padwa is the Marathi name of the festival Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which is celebrated by the Hindus on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. The day is an auspicious one as it marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. It is believed that this is the day of the creation of the universe and the legend states that Brahma, the god who created the universe and the life in it, chose this fine day to start. The celebration starts with the ritualistic bath, after which the doorway of the house is decorated with ceremonial Rangoli (designs created using powdered colors) and then "Gudi" is erected and worshipped at the doorway itself. Though the New Year is celebrated according to the international Gregorian calendar in most parts of India, still the festival of Gudi Padwa retains its value among the traditionalists.
There are scientific reasons too behind celebrating the festival of Gudi Padwa. People who believe in meditation and its benefits say that the Gudi should be worshipped within five to ten minutes of early sunrise. This is because the divine consciousness which emanates during the early sunrise, if absorbed, lasts longer. The principles state that, as it is the first day of the year and also the day of creation of the universe, the waves comprising of Tej tatva (the fire principle) flow especially during early sunrise. Gudi Padwa is celebrated during that time of the year when everyone dresses themselves up with clean clothing, which is symbolic to the colors of spring. The festival is an occasion when families sit together and worship the divine power.
Gudi Padwa 2012: 23 March
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