Gudi Padwa

Thought One

It is believed that on ‘Gudi Padva’ :

1. The Universe was created by Brahma.
2. Satyuga (The Age of Truth and Justice) began.
3. Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya victorious, after having killed Ravana.
4. This is one of the 3 and a half days in the Hindu Lunar calendar, whose every moment is considered auspicious.
5. The festival is celebrated as Ugadi in Karnataka. Seven, Nine or eleven haystacks are placed on a farmland and are set alight. The ashes are mixed while ploughing the farm.

The Vedas proclaimed that the year should consist of 12 months and the world has accepted it.

Thought Two

Thought Two

The ‘Gudi’ consists of a wooden stick and a steel inverted copper or silver ‘loti’ (jug) which symbolizes a flag post.

This flag-post in turn symbolizes the Victory of Shree Ram over the Demon King Ravana as a mark of triumph of good over evil. The Gudi also symbolizes Shree Ram’s triumphant entry into Ayodhya.

 The flag post also has a Spiritual significance.  The inverted empty ‘loti’ symbolizes the ‘empty’ ego. The ‘inverted’ loti, could mean an indication to look within (ourselves). 

The open sky stands for ‘Ones true free spirit’ away from the confines of the world.

A bitter-sweet mixture of neem leaves, jaggery and jeera is consumed early in the morning.

The ladies dress in their traditional finery, purchase golden items, adorn their homes with orange flowers and jubilantly usher in peace and harmony on this day, their New Year’s.