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When is Gudi Padwa 2017: Date, Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, Mantra & Auspicious Timings of GudiPadwa

Celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month, Gudi Padwa is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra.

A day after Hindu’s most celebrated festival Chaitra Navaratri, Maharashtrians will celebrate Gudi Padwa which is on Wednesday, March 29. The festival is being celebrated on day one of Chaitra month which also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year. It is mainly celebrated in Mumbai, Maharashtra, it is also known as Yugadi. People celebrate this festival with their friends and family. Gudi is a long bamboo stick which is decorated with green or yellow coloured clothes tied at the top of a long bamboo along with (sugar crystals), neem leaves and a twig of mango leaves along with red flowers. On top of bamboo, a silver or copper pot is placed. It is being said that the long bamboo stick symbolises victory and spiritual prosperity.

Gudi Padwa is also considered auspicious for Vastu Puja and an opening of a new business. Apart from Maharashtra, this festival is also celebrated by people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka as Ugadi.

The reason behind celebrating Gudi Padwa?

While every festival is celebrated for some reason, one story has also attached with Gudi Padwa. It is being said that this festival marked the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating Lanka’s king Ravana. So the festival somehow also symbolises the victory over darkness.

Like any other festival, Gudi Padwa is also celebrated with one important food item a paste of Neem and Jaggery. On this day, people make rangoli at their home, dress up in new clothes and enjoy with their families. Women prepare sweet dishes like Puran Poli and Shrikhand and many other dishes to celebrate the festival.

Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also celebrates Gudi Padwa with her husband Abhishek Bachchan.