Gudi Padwa Date

India is known as the country of colors because of the numerous festivals celebrated here. All these festivals are the reminder of the secular unity of this country with rich cultural heritage. The Gudi Padwa festival marks the commencement of the Hindu luni-solar calendar year. Though a major Indian festival, not all Hindus celebrate this festival because the Indian culture varies from one part of the country to another. Almost every part of the country has different days assigned to start the year, depending on the calendar that used to be followed by the ancient civilizations of that part of the country. The festival marks the beginning of nature"s cycle too, as at this time of the year the weather changes and along with it changes the atmosphere around. A number of seasonal offerings are made while worshipping the Gudi.

The day of Gudi Padwa is an auspicious one because of different reasons, the first one being more of a scientific one. It was believed by ancient sages that on this particular day during the early sunrise, the divine consciousness emanating from the sun is absorbed the most. The Tej Tatva or the creative fire principle also emanates from the sun god. The Gudi, which is a fresh bamboo staff adorned with a yellow cloth, a garland of red flowers and an inverted copper pot on the top, is actually a human adaptation of the Sushumna Nadi which forms the base of the human torso. This stick should be hoisted on a clean ground and should be slightly tilted. While raising this Gudi, the balance of Shiva and Shakti should be invoked.

Gudi Padwa Festival Date
There are often confusions regarding the date of the festival as it is decided according to the Indian traditional lunisolar calendar. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival falls on the beginning of the Chaitra month, which is also the first month according to the Hindu calendar. The coming year will see Gudi Padwa being celebrated on Sunday Mar 18. It is believed that the first day of the Chaitra month is also the beginning of Vasant Rithu (spring season) and this day was chosen to be the first day of the year because it is considered to be the day when the universe was created by the creator god, Brahma.

Gudi Padwa 2018: Sunday Mar 18