Gudi Padwa Celebrations
Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of the New Year to the Maharashtrians. The advent of a new year heralds new hopes, new dreams and greater chances of prosperity and wish fulfillment and so it is celebrated with a lot of joy and pompousness throughout Maharashtra. The Gudi is hosted and worshipped outside the house and Prasad is offered to it.
This year’s prasad was Seviyya Kheer..
Recipe
Ingredients
1/2 cup Vermicelli, see Tips
2-1/2 cups warmed Milk, or as needed. see Tips
1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk, see Tips
2-3 tbsp of mixed Dried Fruits and Nuts, see Tips
1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder
1 tbsp Ghee
Pinch of Saffron
Method
Heat Ghee in a non stick or heavy bottomed pan. Add the nuts and when slightly browned, add the raisins. When the raisins puff up, remove and set aside.
In the same pan (in the remaining ghee), roast the vermicelli
until it turns golden brown.
To it, add the warmed milk along with the some of the nuts (keep the rest for garnish). I like to cook the nuts along with it, but you can add all of it towards the end of the cooking.
Close the lid and cook for 6-8 minutes,
or until the vermicelli is cooked.
Now add the condensed milk, cardamom and saffron to the mixture and cook for another few minutes
until the mixture thickens slightly.
Last year Celebrations..
History of the Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra
According to Hindu mythology, on the day of Gudi Padwa, Brahma created the universe. It is also believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama killed Bali. It is one of the three and a half days in the Hindu calendar when each and every moment of the day is auspicious.
The first month in the Marathi calendar is Chaitra and Gudi Padwa is observed on Chaitra 1 or the first day of Chaitra. The most important event on the day is the hoisting of the Gudi (Victory flags) in front of the homes.
Every year my yearly festival celebrations begin with Gudi Padva
Auspicious Day
Gudi Padva is one of the most auspicious days in the Marathi Hindu Calendar and is considered ideal for starting new ventures and investment. It is believed that every moment on the Gudhi Padwa day is auspicious. The day also heralds the arrival of the spring season.
Farmers make it a point to plough the field on the Gudhi Padva day and they believe it will help in having a good harvest in the ensuing agricultural season.
Gudi Hosting
The gudi, which is Brahma’s flag (Brahmadhvaj) is hoisted in every house as a symbolic representation of Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya, after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudi (flag).
A Gudi is prepared by tying a bright green on yellow cloth with brocade to a long bamboo stick,along with sugar crystal(gaathi), Mango twig, neem leaves and a garland of red flowers. Over all this a copper or silver pot is placed in inverted position. A Gudi is normally hoisted outside the house or terrace or from a window for all to see.
Each element/part of Gudi has its own importance or significance. Shreefal=Coconut=Siddhi=Fulfillment/Attainments
Kalash=Copper Pot=Yashshri=Ambitious
Supari=Beetlenut=Sankalp=Wish
Haldi Kunku= (turmeric) and kumkum (vermilion powder=Saubhagya=Joyous state of wifehood/fortunateness
Velu Kathi=Bamboo=Samarthya=Strength
Pushpa haar=Garland of Flowers=Mangalay=Wellness
Saakhar Gathi=Sugar Garland=Madhurya=Sweetness
Neem Leaves and neem flavors have special importance on Gudi Padwa Limbphata=Neem Leaves=Arogya=Health
Jari Saree=Brocade Indian Attire=Vaibhav=Prosperity
Rituals
After waking up early in the morning, people clean their homes and decorate the floors with beautifully drawn rangolis. Some even prefer to keep a pot with coconuts, flowers and mango leaves just outside their home. People decorate the lintel of every door with a bunting of mango leaves and flowers. Red flowers are used because red colour indicates auspiciousness.
They clad themselves in new clothes as well. Tasteful sweet dishes like shrikhand and jalebis are savored by the people. The ardor and excitement of the people on the occasion of celebration of Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra is great.
This years Gudi Padva was special as In laws are visiting us!
My attire for the occasion was gifted by MIL
And here is the list of delicacies which she prepared for the prasad
Shrikhan Puri
For recipe..Click Here
Matki Usal
For Recipe..Click Here
Sukhi Batatyachi Bhaji
For Recipe..Click Here
Aloo Vadi
For Recipe..Click Here
Puran
For Recipe..Click Here
Ambat Goad Dal
For recipe..Click here
Varan
For recipe..Click Here
Sabudanyacha Kurudya
For Recipe..Click Here
Crazy me clicking my thali in a saree 😛
Beautiful photographs….
Thank you Dhanya 🙂