Gudi Padwa, the Marathi New Year that also marks the start of the harvest season, is widely celebrated in Maharashtra. Gudi Padwa is also known as Samvatsara Padvo and literally means the first day of a new Samvat. It gets its name from two words Gudi (emblem of Lord Brahma) and Padwa (first day of the phase of the moon).
This celebration, known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, commemorates the triumphant march of the famous Maratha monarch Chhatrapati Shivaji. On this day, the “Gudi” is a winning sign. It is displayed in every home as a symbol of good triumphing over evil. Gudi Padwa is also thought to mark the start of the Satyug when Lord Ram was born. The deity is seen to be at its greatest on this day when the Sun rises in the morning, therefore the Gudi is hoisted and worshipped after sunrise to usher in good luck and ward off all evils. The auspiciousness of this occasion is subsequently distributed throughout the home by raising the Gudi.
The Gudi is formed of silk fabric attached to a bamboo stick, with a copper pot inverted on top and ornamented with a Swastik symbol, which is the Hindus’ emblem of sanctity and spirituality. Marigold flowers, coconut, neem, and mango leaves are all used to adorn the Gudi, which is subsequently hoisted in every Maharashtra home.
The Gudi is thought to ward off all evil and provide wealth and good fortune to the household. The day begins with an oil bath, which is said to be highly lucky on this day. The Maharashtrian household then decorates the entire house and prepares special delicacies. Shrikhand, a sweet dessert, is made in every household.
Gujarati New Year also known as Bestu Varas, on the other hand, is celebrated a day after Diwali. It occurs on Shukla Paksha Pratipada in the month of Kartik. Varsha-Pratipada, or Padwa, is another name for the Gujarati New Year. Bestu Varas, or the Gujarati New Year, falls on the same day as Govardhan Puja.
According to the legend, Lord Krishna, who spent his early years in the Braj area, urged people to practise their dharma rather than making large gifts to gods. The inhabitants of the area, inspired by him, abandoned the age-old custom of making lavish tributes to Lord Indra. This angered Lord Indra, who unleashed tremendous rains and thunderstorms on the region. As a result of Indra’s anger, people experienced massive losses in property and animals. Krishna, Lord Vishnu’s ninth avatar, raised the massive Govardhan mountain to protect the people. Lord Indra acknowledged defeat after seven days and seven nights.
Bestu Varas is very important for Gujarati businesses and dealers who open new books of account and cancel old ones. These ledger books are known as chopda or bahi-khata. In the expectation that the New Year would be fortunate and profitable, prayers are made to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of riches. There is no set way for doing the pooja. Some traders choose to have a priest do the puja, but others adhere to the Jain vidhi.
The major difference between the two is that Gudi Padwa is celebrated in Maharastra while Bestu Varas is celebrated in Gujarat. Gudi Padwa is celebrated in the Chaitra month while Bestu Varies is celebrated in the month of Kartik. Bestu Varas is associated with Lord Lakshmi whereas Gudi Padwa is not associated with any Gods. The Gudi itself is worshipped.
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