Gudhi Padwa is the day when we celebrate our New Year in Maharashtra and Konkan. As per Hindu Marathi Panchang (Luni-Solar Calendar) it’s the first day of our first Marathi Month ‘Chaitra’.
It celebrates the onset of spring and the reaping of Rabi crops. It marks the beginning of Harvest Festival in the parts of Maharashtra and Konkan. It is considered auspicious to start new work on this day. This day is celebrated by making traditional sweet, raising Gudhi’s and wearing traditional clothes. This Gudhi is garlanded with Flowers and gaathi alongwith Neem Leaves, topped with copper or silver vessel. On this day, we put this neem leaves in Bathing water as well as eat a neem leaf to purify our soul and body.
Historical significance of Gudhi:
It is first raised to celebrate Shree Rama’s victory over Ravana. Thus, it is believed that Gudhi brings prosperity and happiness and wards off evil.
Gudi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house.
How we celebrated this time:
On this day, we avoid using Onion and Garlic. Normally, our menu is Fried boiled potato Veggie, Varan(Plain Lentil soup) with Rice Ghee piece of Lime, Koshimbir( Maharashtrian style salad), Puri and Shrikhanda. This time we had it same adding to the menu Chole( Chick Peas Curry without Onion and Garlic) and replaced Shrikhand with Jeelbi. Jeelbi made in traditional way tasted awesome. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Had a good sleep after that bunking my studies 🙃🙃
The recipe of Jeelbi will be included in my recipe book meant to be a resource of earning for helping Maharashtrian Farmers. Hence, the readers have to just enjoy it virtually. Sorry about that Guys!
Shra's 