New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind extended wishes to all people of the country on the occasion of Gudi Padwa which marks the start of the New Year for Marathi and Konkani people.

Taking it to Twitter, PM Narendra Modi expressed his best wishes to the citizens. PM Modi wrote, “Best wishes on Gudi Padwa. May the coming year bring good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives.”

President Kovind also extended his wishes on Gudi Padwa, which falls on the same day as Chaitra Sukladi, Baisakhi, Navreh and other festivals that showcases India’s unity and also displays our rich culture. “Best wishes to my Marathi brothers and sisters in Maharashtra and around the world on this auspicious day of Gudi Padwa. May this festival of happiness bring good health, peace and prosperity to all of you,” President tweeted.

KNOW ALL ABOUT GUDI PADWA

Gudi Padwa is celebrated every year with great fervour around Maharashtra and Konkan region. According to the Hindu calendar, the festival falls on the first day of Chaitra (first month of lunar calendar) and marks the start of the New Year for Marathi and Konkani people.

Gudi Padwa, falls in the Spring season and is also celebrated in different regions of India with various names like Ugadi in Karnataka, Samvatsara in Konkan to name a few. The word ‘Padwa’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Pratipada’, which denotes to the first day of a lunar fortnight. And, the word ‘Gudi’ means the flag of Lord Brahma, God of Creation.

The Gudi, which will be seen erected outside the houses in Maharashtra, is the soul of the auspicious festival. A coloured cloth is knotted on the top of a long bamboo. The Gudi is decorated with neem leaves and mango leaves along with flowers. An upturned silver pot commonly known as Kalash is placed on the top of the bamboo. The inverted Kalash means the victory of good over evil.

On this important festival, people decorate homes by creating beautiful rangolis, preparing traditional Maharashtrian dishes such as Puran Poli, Amrakhand, Kesari Bhaat, Sheera, Basundi and more.

LOW KEY CELEBRATIONS IN MAHARASHTRA

Amid the prevailing COVID-19 situation, there are low-key celebrations in Maharashtra.

In Maharashtra, where a night curfew has already been enforced to restrict the further spread of COVID, people are requested by the government to celebrate Gudi Padwa 2021 staying indoors and not travel to public and religious places due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. “Celebrate the festival only at home. No more than five people at a place,” the home department’s guidelines, issued on Monday read.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra is likely to impose strict lockdown for 15 days after Gudi Padwa (April 13) or Ambedkar Jayanti (April 14) to contain the spread of contagion.