Gudhi-Paadwaa (wrongly pronounced as gudi paadwa) is the New-Year day for Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and most of North India, which follows either the Lunar Vikrama-Samwat ( Vikrama calendar) or Lunisolar Shaaliwahana-Shaka ( Shaka calendar). Although the Gregorian calendar is followed for official and practical purposes in India, these traditional calendars prevail and are largely followed for all religious, cultural and social purposes.

 

The Shaliwahana Shaka was initiated by the famous emperor Gautamii-putra ShaatakarNii () in the year 78 AD, commemorating his victory over the  Shaka
() / Huuna () dynasties.

The Calendar starts on the first new moon after the Sun crosses the equator from South to North on Spring Equinox. This day is the 1st day of the Chaitra () month and marks the beginning of the spring season. The names of all the months of this Hindu calendar in a sequence are as follows:

Chaitra		waishaakha		jyeShtha
aaShaadha		shraawaNa		bhaadrapada
ashwina		kaartika		maargashiirSha
pauSha		maagha		phaalguna

The Brahma-puraaNa also mentions that this is the day on which Lord Brahma created the universe and hence, is the day of inception of the earth. Thus Gudhi also symbolizes Lord Brahma’s flag, the Brahma-dhwaja. This year, Gudhi-Paadwaa is on the 4th April and continues with Navratri ending with Ramnavami on 12th April.

It is believed that after slaying Ravana, establishing Vibhiishana’s rule in Lanka and completing 14 years of exile, Shrii Rama (the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu) returned to Ayodhya along with Seeta and Laxmana. On this day the subjects welcomed him by hoisting Gudhis (traditional flags marking victory) at their doorways. Co-incidetally the 9th day of Chaitra month happened to be the birth-anniversary of Shri Raama, hence the subjects celebrated their joy for continuous nine days and as such, the Raama-Navaraatri festival, starting from Gudhii-paadwaa, is observed for 9 days upto the Raama-Nawami day.

A ‘Gudhii’ () is made by tying a colorful (typically saffron, yellow or green) cloth along with a twig of Neem and mango leaves, and a garland of Champa () flowers.

Raw Neem () leaves or a paste prepared by mixing Neem leaves, Jaggery, coriander seeds, Tamarind, raw Mango and Green pepper is eaten as this is believed to purify the blood and strengthen the body’s immune system against diseases.

A brand new Panchaangam ( Almanac) is also worshipped and the Panchaanga-shrawaNam (, a general forecast of the forthcoming year with its effects on trade, politics, natural calamities, crops, is read out.

The Gudhii-paadwaa festival is celebrated in other parts of India with various names. It is called:

• Samwatsara Paadwo () in Goa
• Yugaadi () in Karnataka
• Ugaadi () in Andhra Pradesh
• Nawa-warsha Samwat () in North & North-Eastern India
• Cheti Chand () among the Sindhi community
• Sajibu Cheiraoba () in Manipur

Since Gudhii-paadwaa is about celebrating ‘creation’, the Devi, considered to be the mother of the universe is worshipped for the 9 days of the Navaraatri festival. Wheat is sown in an earthen pot and left to sprout, the Goddess riding the tiger is worshipped, Navaraatri ends with the invocation of fire, (Jyoti) on the last day, which is representative of another form of the Goddess. Young girls are also worshipped as the living form of Durga.

The forecast for this year named as ‘Krodhi’ Vikrama 2068/Shake 1933, as interpreted by some North Indian Pandits, is:

• The presiding king is the Moon and his minister is the planet Jupiter.



• As the king and his minister are favorable to each other, this year will be generally beneficial.



• The planetary influences are such that globally nations will be friendly with each other, but there could be war like situations between some nations.



• India will maintain friendly relations with neighbours. Though there will be good production of agriculture but heavy rains and floods in the North eastern region will cause destruction of crops. There will be a greater stress on women upliftment. India will be the business focus in the world, her policies will be lauded. Good laws and policies will help businessmen though there will be stricter anti-corruption laws. Electronic goods will be cheaper. It would generally be a good year, with some environmental and political unrest.

This Gudhii-paadwaa, we bring for you, Raama-namanam and Devii-wandanam , both being traditional verses invocating Shrii Rama and the Goddess respectively.