The Hindu lunar calendar’s first day of the Chaitra month, known as “Gudi Padwa” or “Varsha Pratipada,” marks the Hindu New Year. Gudi symbolizes a victory flag; thus, Gudi Padwa represents the beginning of a new year and a fresh start. It is celebrated on the first day of the waxing phase of the moon (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada) and is considered a time for joy and renewal. This year, Gudi Padwa falls on March 30, 2025. Through this article, we’ll explore the various customs, significance, and traditions associated with Gudi Padwa.

According to popular belief, Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, making Gudi Padwa, also known as the “New Year of the Universe.” Additionally, this date is significant for the mathematician Bhaskaracharya, who used it as the reference point to calculate days, months, and years, laying the foundation of the “Panchang” (Hindu calendar). In Andhra Pradesh, a special prasadam (offering) is distributed on this day, which is believed to promote good health and keep diseases at bay. Furthermore, this prasadam is said to provide relief from skin ailments. In the Indian states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, this festival is celebrated with special rituals and ceremonies over nine days, concluding with Ram Navami.

Gudi Padwa holds special significance in terms of health. Foods prepared on this day, such as puran poli (a sweet flatbread) and shrikhand (a yoghurt-based dish), are believed to benefit overall well-being. There’s also a tradition of consuming neem leaves on an empty stomach, which is supposed to cleanse the blood and promote skin health. Other popular foods include “amba dal” (a raw mango and lentil salad) and “panha” (a raw mango drink), both of which are said to be especially beneficial in the spring season.

On Gudi Padwa, people clean their homes and decorate them with rangoli (colourful patterns) and torans (garlands). They raise a “gudi,” or flag, at the main entrance of their homes. A copper pot is decorated with a swastika symbol, wrapped in silk cloth, and placed atop the gudi. Traditionally, rituals also include worshipping the Sun God and reciting sacred verses like the Sundarkand, Ram Raksha Stotra, and mantras to the Goddess.

According to legend, during the Ramayana era, southern India was under the oppressive rule of Bali, the elder brother of Sugreeva. When Lord Rama met Sugreeva while searching for Sita, he learned of Bali’s tyranny and defeated him, freeing the people from his rule. It is believed that this victory coincided with the Chaitra Pratipada, further enriching the significance of Gudi Padwa.

King Shalivahana, a ruler from Maharashtra, is credited with starting the Shalivahana Shaka (calendar year) to mark his victory. He is said to have created an army of clay figures, infused life into them by sprinkling water, and then led this army to triumph over his powerful enemies. In honour of this victory, the Shalivahana era began, with Gudi Padwa marking the start of the new year. On this day, it is traditional to read the Panchang (Hindu almanack) and worship the Goddess Saraswati to welcome the Hindu New Year.

There is also a story that Vishnu, in his Matsya (fish) avatar, defeated the demon Shankhasura on this very day. Shankhasura was a powerful demon born from the ocean who had stolen the Vedas and hidden in the ocean depths. The gods, sages, and saints awakened Lord Vishnu from his meditative state and requested his help. In his fish form, Vishnu found and beheaded Shankhasura, who then asked Vishnu to keep his body as a conch shell, which Vishnu granted, symbolizing victory and knowledge.

This Gudi is a Brahma banner and a symbol of victory. When Lord Rama returned victorious from Lanka to Ayodhya, the people joyfully welcomed him by hoisting flags.

 This celebration is believed to have taken place on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is also said that on this day, Lord Rama defeated Bali and liberated his people from his cruelty, marking this as a day of triumph over evil forces. The Gudi represents the divine power that vanquishes demonic forces.

The Significance of Nature and Seasonal Cycles in Indian Festivals

In India, festivals are deeply intertwined with nature and its seasonal cycles, reflecting the country’s reverence for the environment and its cycles of growth, harvest, and renewal. Many of these festivals are rooted in agricultural traditions, where the changing seasons determine the timing and rituals.

For example, Makar Sankranti, celebrated in January, marks the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, signalling the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season.

People celebrate the bountiful harvest by flying kites, lighting bonfires, and offering thanks for the crops. Similarly, Pongal, celebrated in Tamil Nadu, is a festival dedicated to the sun and the harvest. It takes place during January, honouring nature’s cycle of sowing, reaping, and prosperity.

The festival of Onam, celebrated in Kerala, aligns with the seasonal cycle of rice cultivation. It marks the onset of the harvest season with grand feasts, cultural performances, and a boat race, symbolizing prosperity and a good harvest.

Moreover, Navratri, occurring around autumn, celebrates the cycle of renewal and victory over darkness. The festival is a time to honour the energy of nature and the Earth, where the changing seasons signify a transformation from strength to victory.

Through these celebrations, Indian festivals offer a meaningful connection between humanity and nature, emphasizing harmony, respect, and the cycles of life that sustain us all.