As the fresh breeze of spring stirs and nature dons its new green attire, the communities of Maharashtra, Goa and Konkan usher in a new year with joy and reverence. Gudi Padwa, often regarded as the Marathi Hindu New Year, is a festival of renewal, hope and traditions. A vibrant “gudi” (a flag-pole decorated with cloth, garlands, mango leaves, neem twigs and an up-turned pot) is hoisted outside homes to symbolise victory, triumph and auspicious beginnings. On this day, households undertake cleaning, decorate the entrance with rangoli, wear new clothes, eat traditional foods and offer prayers to invoke prosperity for the year ahead.
Gudi Padwa 2026 Date & Shubh Muhurat
According to the authoritative panchāng source DrikPanchang, for New Delhi / NCT (and by extension many parts of India), Gudi Padwa in 2026 falls on Thursday, 19 March 2026 (Chaitra month, Shukla Pratipada tithi).
While the precise puja-muhurat (auspicious time) for hoisting the gudi and performing the ceremonies may vary by region (city, sunrise/sunset, local tithi), the general guidance indicates the date above. For example, another source lists the date as 19 March 2026 for this festival.
Hence, families planning the rituals may choose early morning (just after sunrise) on 19 March to erect the gudi, perform the puja, and partake in the celebratory meals and visiting of temples.
Significance of Gudi Padwa
New Beginnings & Harvest
Gudi Padwa marks the first day of Chaitra in the lunisolar Hindu calendar for the Marathi community, signifying the onset of a fresh year. It is also associated with the harvest and transition of seasons, as winter recedes and the field is ready for fresh growth.
Symbol of Victory & Good Fortune
The “gudi” hoisted outside the house carries deep symbolism: it stands for victory (be it historically King Shalivahana’s victory over the Huns or the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya) and the hope of good fortune entering the household. According to legend, the gudi represents the flag of Lord Brahma—placed after creation of the universe.
Rituals, Food & Customs
- Early morning oil bath and donning new clothes.
- Cleaning the house, decorating the entrance with fresh mango leaves, rangoli designs and hoisting of the gudi with colorful cloth, garlands, neem and mango leaves and a copper/silver pot atop.
- Eating traditional dishes — in Maharashtra, puran poli, shrikhand, and a particular mix of neem leaves with jaggery or tamarind represent the mix of bitter-sweet life.
- Visiting temples, exchanging greetings, and starting new ventures or household ceremonies with an auspicious mindset.
- Many see this day as also the beginning of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri (in certain regions).
How to Observe on 19 March 2026
- Begin early in the morning: wake before or around sunrise, take a purifying bath, wear fresh/traditional attire.
- Clean your home and decorate the entrance with mango leaves and rangoli; set up a spot for the gudi.
- Construct the ‘gudi’: a long broomstick or bamboo pole wrapped with a bright cloth (often yellow, green or saffron), decorated with flowers, mango and neem leaves, topped with an up-turned metal pot. Place it on the right side of your main entrance window or veranda.
- At sunrise (or soon after) perform the puja: light a diya, offer flowers, incense, do a ‘aarti’, and hoist the gudi while chanting a prayer or mantra for this new year.
- Share a festive meal with family: include the neem-jaggery dish (or sweet-bitter dish) and other traditional foods of your region.
- Visit a local temple if possible, exchange greetings with neighbours, offer charity or help those in need to extend the auspiciousness.
- Reflect on the meaning of the day: new beginnings, victory over past difficulties, readiness for the coming season—set intentions for the year ahead.
Why This Festival Matters
In our fast-changing life contexts, Gudi Padwa offers a moment of pause—a time to symbolically hoist our own “gudi” of hope, clarity and renewal. It is a reminder that every year we get another chance, another cycle of growth, learning and community. For the Marathi and Konkan Hindus, this day brings together history, harvest, faith and festivity in a manner rich with meaning. And even for others outside the region, participating in or acknowledging this festival invites a sense of fresh start and cultural unity.
In 2026, with the date clearly marked as 19 March, let your home be ready, let your heart be open, and let the gudi flutter outside as a flag of triumph and new beginnings. Happy Gudi Padwa! 🙏