Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa

       Goa is full of festival. Gudi Padwa is one of them.Gudi padwa is the hindu festival making the victory of good over evil. Gudi padwa is the beginning of new year as per hindu calendar. Gudi Padwa is celebrated during Chaitra Sukla Paksha Padyami. Hindus believe that Lord Brahma created the universe on Gudi Padwa. Gudi Padwa is also known as Sanvsar Padvo by the people of the Konkan region. 

The festival also has a social significance as it is held to mark the beginning of the spring season. The festival is normally held in the period between the end of March and the beginning of April. People consider it auspicious to start a new activity on this day. This festival marks the beginning of the spring season. People celebrate this festival with great spirit and joy.

There is another reason why this festival is celebrated. It is believed that this is the day when universe was created. It is believed by all hindus that this is the day lord Bramha created this world. 

The day witnesses hoisting of gudi or victory flag on the houses, consisting of a bamboo staff over which is wound green or yellow coloured silk cloth, with an inverted goblet decorated with garland of bright flowers.

Goan Hindus welcome the day by decorating the doorways of their homes with mango leaves strung  and flower between two leaves together and colourful rangoli adorning their floors. Donning new clothes, people extend greetings, exchange sweets and spend the day praying at home or in temple, feasting and participating in cultural activities

 In Goa, people make paste of neem tree and consume it on this morning. people are used to eat chana usal on this day. The families also prepare sweets including puranpoli which is offered as Prasad and later distributed among relatives and friends.

Gudi Padwa is also considered as the harvest festival, which shows that the Rabi crop has ended for the season. This is the time when mangoes and fruits are reaped. Gudi Padwa is the time when you find the delicious ripe mangoes in the market.

On the day of Gudi padwa a special program is been held at sharp 6.00 am in panjim city of Goa where this festival is celebrated by all RSS members. Soon after the program  there is a rally held in which members walk in a parade with white shirt, brown shorts and black topi as there uniform. It is so wonderfull to watch this parade as Large number of people come to see this parade.