Gudi Padwa 2021: History, Significance, traditional dishes and everything that you need to know

Gudi Padwa, also known as Samvatsar Padwa, is celebrated by Maharashtrians and Konkanis as the first day of the Chaitra month as per Hindu calendar.

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It is named by the combination of two words ‘Gudi’ and ‘Padwa’, in which Gudi means emblem or flag of lord Brahma, and Padwa signifies the first day of the moon. 

How the festival is celebrated?

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm as it holds great significance. People begin the day with a customary oil bath, after which they decorate their house and slip into new clothes. Rangoli comes as the primary attraction at the festival, it is made by colors and flowers. People position a Gudi, a symbol of victory, at their door or on windows, and following this they consume the leaves of neem.     

If we talk about the origin of the festival, as per Hindu mythology it is believed that on this day Lord Brahma created the universe and initiated the days, weeks, months as well as years. As Ugadi is considered as the first day of creation of the universe, that's why people worship Lord Brahma on the first day of Gudi Padwa.

Also Read: Chaitra Navratri 2021: Mouth-watering recipes for your 9-day long fasting

Traditional dishes: You must try on this Gudi Padwa

No festival is complete without a plate of tasty delicacies. The festival of Gudi Padwa witnesses many traditional dishes that represent the rich heritage and culture of Maharashtra. 

Some of the dishes which can be enjoyed at the festival are:

Shrikhand: It is undoubtedly and irresistible to eat this rich, yummy, flavourful dish. It is one of the loved dishes across the nation. The dish is mainly prepared with hung curd and during summers it is prepared with mango and mango shrikhand is popularly consumed with bread and puri.

Puran Poli: This mouth-watering dish is prepared in Maharashtrian households on the occasion of Gudi Padwa. It resembles chapatti, but one with a sweet filling in it. The dish is prepared with Bengal gram, flour, jaggery, turmeric, coconut, and ghee. 

Batata Vada: These are the potato fritters coated with chickpea flour, then deep-fried, and then served with hot chutney. It is one of the traditional dishes, Maharashtrian household cooks on the occasion of Gudi Padwa.

Sev Mishal: It is a local savory dish. It is made with sev and has gravey-like consistency, eaten with roti or pav.     

This year, the popular festival is celebrated amid the rising cases of COVID-19 and the lockdown in the state of Maharashtra. 


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