Make your and your family’s health a priority this year Happy Gudi Padwa!

Hindu festivals Gudi Padwa and Ugadi is being celebrated in sevral parts of India today . This is an auspicious time that welcomes spring. While Gudi Padwa is a Maharashrian new year and is celebrated in parts of Maharashtra, Ugadi is the New Year’s Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In Karnataka, the festival is celebrated as Yugadi.People celebrates Ugadi and Gudi Padwa by decorating their houses and wearing new clothes. During Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra people make rangolis on the floor. Down south, people draw colorful patterns on floor called kolamulus.President Ram Nath Kovind Friday wished people on the eve of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba and hoped the festivals would strengthen the bonds of love and affection in the society. In a message, the President said traditionally these festivals mark the onset of new year and the warmer months and they reflect values of prosperity and well being. “On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. Let the spirit of joy and happiness signified by these festivals pervade the heart of every Indian,” he said.

How Gudi Padwa is celebrated ?

On Gudi Padwa, street processions are held. Maharashtrians wear new clothes, dance, prepare festive foods like Sakkar Bhaat (sweet rice), Shrikhand and Puri, and Puran Poli, A Gudi is hoisted and the festival is celebrated with friends and family. Traditionally, families prepare a special dish that mixes various flavors, particularly leaves of neem tree and jaggery. Other Maharashrian dishes like sabudana khichdi and vada, aam panna, batatyachi bhaaji, chana usal and thalipeeth are also prepared at home.