Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is the Marathi and Konkani new year. The gudi — a bright cloth tied to a bamboo pole with a copper pot and neem leaves — is raised at the doorway.

The tradition is centuries old and celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, the victories of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the arrival of spring.

We celebrate to raise something bright and hopeful over our home, and to remind ourselves that new beginnings are worth celebrating out loud.

Konkani families prepare shrikhand-puri, puran poli, and offer neem-jaggery to symbolise accepting both sweet and bitter with grace.