gudi padva

The Maharashtrians celebrate their new year called Gudi Padwa, This festival is supposed to mark the beginning of the spring season. On this day a pole named Gudhi is erected in front of the house. A new cloth is tied around the Gudhi, a metal or silver vessel is fixed on to the gudi, and a garland of sweets is tied around it. Rangolis are drawn near the gudhi or in front of the house. People welcome the New Year with Gudhi worship and distribute the religious offering or the “prasad”, which consists of tender neem leaves, tamarind, carom seeds, pulses and jaggery. The hindu Konkanis celebrate “Sanvsar Padvo” (sanvsar derived from samvatsar meaning - year)