Gudi Padwa, which marks the beginning of the New Year for Hindus, was celebrated with religious fervour, exchange of greetings and feelings of hope across the State, on Wednesday. The festival marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri and is seen as auspicious occasion to start new ventures and perform ceremonies.
In most Hindu households, families woke up early in the morning and hoisted Gudis on the tip of a bamboo at their homes, decorated with flowers and rangoli, neem leaves and mango twig. In Goa, Gudi Padwa is also associated with numerous cultural and folk programmes.
People wake up, immerse themselves with oil, and then bathe. After bathing, they consume something bittersweet made of neem, after which they proceed to perform a ‘puja’ using incense sticks and a single lamp. The ‘gudi’ is then assembled together with a bamboo staff, the cloth and other flowers. It is believed that the rays of the sun falling on the copper pot bring in good health and prosperity to the family.
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