Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year, celebrated mainly in Maharashtra and some parts of India. It marks the beginning of the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls in March or April.
People celebrate by decorating their homes with rangoli, wearing new clothes, and raising a Gudi—a decorated bamboo stick with a bright cloth, neem leaves, and an inverted copper pot—outside their homes.
The Gudi is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Families also prepare special sweets like puran poli and shrikhand to enjoy the day. It’s a time of joy, new beginnings, and cultural traditions.
One of the grandest celebrations of Gudi Padwa happens in Girgaon, Mumbai. The Girgaon Gudi Padwa Shobha Yatra is a vibrant procession where people dress in traditional Maharashtrian attire, play dhol-tasha (drums), and perform the Lezim dance.
Women often wear Nauvari sarees and participate in bike rallies, while men wear pheta (traditional turbans). The streets are filled with colorful Gudis, saffron flags, and enthusiastic crowds. This event has become a symbol of Marathi pride and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra.