Gudi Padwa is a prominent festival of Maharashtra declaring the start of a New Year with the beginning of Chaitra month. This festival usually falls on 13th April every year. With lot of religious rituals and poojas, Gudi Padwa is known to be the holiest of festivals to begin an year in the most spiritual way.

Historical references talk about different reasons behind this festival. Gudi Padwa refers to the celebration of Lord Rama’s victory over demon king Ravan. But Brahma Purana, one of the epics of Hinduism says Gudi Padwa refers to the day on which the entire universe was created, symbolized by a pole standing erect with colored flags adorning it, named as Brahma Dwaj.

The festival begins with colorful rangolis gorgeously decorating the temples and houses along with red colored flowers and mango leaves hanging near front door. Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu are worshipped followed with elaborate rituals followed by the most important event of Gudi Padwa. Erecting a pole in front of the houses and temples with the pole adorned with yellow colored cloths and mango leaves with a copper pot fixed to the pole. Gudi means victory and this pole declares victory, positioned to be visible to everyone nearby.

Panchang Shravan is another auspicious event on this day, where in a common place like temples or marriage halls, people will assemble to listen to the pandits explaining different important dates of the year which are religiously significant. Once it is over, listeners are offered Prasad, with which the festival comes to an end. Thus Gudi Padwa is a colorful festival with rows of events with a tint of communal harmony and religious significance.