On this Saturday 2nd April 2022, the Marathi community is celebrating Gudhi Padwa (New Year). In Mauritius, the Mauritius Marathi Mandali Federation, in collaboration with the Mauritius Marathi Cultural Centre Trust, the Marathi Speaking Union and the Baie Du Cap Marathi Kaylashnath Mandir, will be celebrating Gudhi Padwa at national level in the presence of the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth at Baie Du Cap Marathi Kaylashnath Mandir.
Gudhi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional New Year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus, but is also celebrated by other Hindus as well. It is celebrated in Maharashtra, Goa, and across the world on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the new year, according to the lunisolar method of the Hindu calendar. Padava or Paadvo comes from the Sanskrit word ‘pratipada’, which is the first day of a lunar fortnight. The spring festival is observed with colourful floor decorations called rangoli, a special Gudhi dvaja (flag garlanded with flowers, mango& neem leaves, topped with upturned silver or copper vessels), street processions, dancing& festive foods.
Gudhi Padwa signifies the arrival of spring and to the reaping of Rabi crops. The festival is linked to the mythical day on which Hindu god, Brahma had created time and universe. A notable sight during Gudhi Padwa are the numerous Gudhi (or Gudhi) arrangements at every household, mandir and any building. Traditionally, a bright colourful silk scarf-like cloth is tied at the top of a long bamboo. On top of it, one or more boughs of neem leaves and mango leaves are attached along with a garland of flowers. This arrangement is capped with a silver, bronze or copper pot (handi or kalash), signifying victory or achievement. The whole arrangement is hoisted outside each household, typically to the right. The Gudhi has to be arranged at the sunrise and put down at sunset on the same day.
Traditionally, families wear new clothes and do special prayers on that day. They also prepare a special dish that mixes various flavours, particularly the bitter leaves of the neem tree, and sweet jaggery (gur, gul). Additional ingredients include sour tamarind and astringent dhane seeds. This is eaten as a reminder of life’s sweet and bitter experiences as well as a belief that the neem-based mixture has health benefits.
