Gudi Padwa Marathi New Year marks the beginning of the Shalivahan Shaka Samvat 1948 and the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2026, Gudi Padwa is celebrated on Thursday, 19 March, with the iconic hoisting of the brass-crowned Gudi, the distribution of neem-jaggery prasad, the aroma of Puran Poli on the tawa, and the sound of brass ghanta bells at Maharashtrian doorsteps. Devotees across Maharashtra, Goa, the Konkan belt and the Marathi diaspora hoist a tall Gudi to symbolise victory, prosperity and the triumph of good over evil, while a brass Ganesh-Lakshmi mandapam and a brass kalash complete the festive mandir at home.
The word 'Padwa' refers to the Pratipada tithi, the first lunar day, and 'Gudi' means a flag or victory pillar. The festival is also tied to two great myths — Lord Brahma's creation of the universe, and the victorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. In Maharashtra, it is also closely associated with the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose coronation was celebrated with a Gudi in 1674. This guide explains the exact Gudi Padwa 2026 date and Pratipada tithi, the step-by-step Gudi making tradition, the meaning of neem-jaggery, the Puran Poli feast, and how to set up a brass Gudi Padwa mandapam at home using Deshna Wholesale brass idols, brass kalash and brass ghanta from the Aagam brass catalogue. Read related festive traditions on the Aagam Blog.
Gudi Padwa 2026 Date, Pratipada Tithi and Shalivahan Shaka
Gudi Padwa 2026 is on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The Pratipada Tithi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha begins at 06:52 AM on 19 March and ends at 04:52 AM on 20 March. Since the tithi is present at sunrise, the festival is observed on 19 March. This date also marks the start of the Shalivahan Shaka 1948, the Marathi New Year. The day coincides with Ugadi in the South, Baisakhi preparation in Punjab, and Navreh in Kashmir. Muhurat for the morning Gudi hoisting and Gudi Padwa puja is during the Abhijit Muhurat (mid-day auspicious window), while the Gudi is typically hoisted in the morning itself, after the Abhyanga Snanam (oil bath) and the morning pooja. Many families also visit Siddhivinayak, Mahalaxmi, Pandharpur or Trimbakeshwar temples for the day.
- Pratipada Tithi Begins: 19 March 2026 at 06:52 AM IST
- Pratipada Tithi Ends: 20 March 2026 at 04:52 AM IST
- Shalivahan Shaka Samvat: 1948 (Marathi New Year)
- Brahma Muhurta Abhyanga: 4.51 AM to 5.39 AM
- Abhijit Muhurat (Gudi hoisting): 12.05 PM to 12.52 PM (most auspicious midday window)
- Vijay Muhurat: 2.30 PM to 3.18 PM (also a good time for Gudi hoisting)
How to Make a Traditional Gudi: Step-by-Step
The Gudi is the soul of Gudi Padwa, and constructing it is a family ritual in itself. Take a freshly cut bamboo stick (medium length, straight and without cracks) and tie a bright green or yellow silk cloth with a gold zari border at the top. Tie a few sprigs of fresh mango leaves and neem leaves around the cloth, add a garland of orange and yellow marigold flowers, and surround it with mishri (sugar crystals) and a string of copper or brass beads. At the very top, place an inverted brass kalash (or a silver or copper pot), draw a swastika with kumkum on its base, and place a coconut on top. The Gudi is then hoisted slightly tilted to the right of the main entrance, where it remains visible to passers-by. The height of the Gudi can be anywhere from 6 to 15 feet depending on the size of the house, and a smaller brass or copper Gudi is also a popular choice for apartments. A small brass Ganesh or brass Lakshmi idol is placed at the foot of the Gudi for blessings, and the base is decorated with a fresh rangoli of flowers, swastik, om and small footprints.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Gudi
The Gudi is far more than a festive flag — it is a Vedic victory symbol. The bamboo stick represents firmness, the silk cloth represents victory (similar to Lord Rama's coronation in Ayodhya), the neem and mango leaves represent nature's protection, the inverted kalash represents the cosmos held by Brahma, the mishri represents the sweetness of dharma, and the marigold garland represents the sun's blessings. Hoisting the Gudi on the right side of the entrance is said to invite positive energy, ward off evil, and announce to the universe that the household is ready for a year of righteousness, prosperity and joy.
Neem-Jaggery Prasad: The Bitter-Sweet Lesson of Life
One of the most cherished Gudi Padwa traditions is the consumption of a special neem-jaggery mixture (also called Katu-neem or Bitti-bellada) before the first meal. Fresh neem leaves are ground with jaggery, tamarind, salt and a pinch of cumin and coriander seeds to form a paste. A small marble-sized ball is eaten first thing in the morning after the oil bath, before any other food. The taste is simultaneously bitter, sweet, sour and salty — a Vedic reminder that life is a balanced mix of all emotions, and that the new year must be faced with resilience and grace. Many families also add a few drops of honey, raw mango pieces, or a few neem flowers to the paste, turning it into a tiny sadhana of acceptance. The neem is also believed to purify the blood, regulate metabolism, and prepare the body for the festive feast ahead.
Puran Poli, Shrikhand-Puri and the Gudi Padwa Feast
The Gudi Padwa feast is a celebration of Maharashtrian cuisine. The undisputed hero is Puran Poli — a soft, sweet flatbread stuffed with a chana dal and jaggery filling, flavoured with cardamom, nutmeg and saffron. It is served hot with a generous dollop of ghee. Alongside Puran Poli, the thali includes Shrikhand (saffron-yoghurt dessert), Aam Panna or Panha, Puri-Bhaji, Batata Bhaji, Koshimbir (cucumber-mung salad), Vangyache Bharit (smoked brinjal), Guvar Chi Bhaji, Basundi, Gulab Jamun, and a tall brass tumbler of Masala Chaas. For non-vegetarians, the Konkani Gudi Padwa also includes Surmai or Bombil fry, Mutton Kolhapuri, and Chicken Sukha. The feast is served on a steel thali, with the Puran Poli placed at the centre, surrounded by the bhaji and the chaas, and topped with a spoonful of ghee and a few drops of honey. Eating with the right hand, on a banana leaf or a clean steel plate, is considered most auspicious.
Rangoli, Toran and New Maharashtrian Attire
Visual decoration is a major part of Gudi Padwa. Women of the house draw elaborate rangoli outside the main door and on the staircase — Swastik, Om, Lakshmi feet, peacock, lotus, and freehand floral patterns in white rice flour, red kumkum, yellow turmeric and colourful gulal. Mango-leaf and marigold torans are hung above the entrance door, and small brass bells and brass diyas are placed at the threshold. The entire family wears new clothes — women wear the traditional Nauvari (9-yard) Maharashtrian saree in bright peacock green, magenta or yellow, paired with gold jewellery and a bindi. Men wear a cream or white dhoti with a matching pheta (turban) and a gold-bordered angavastram. The Gudi Padwa photo session is almost a ritual in itself, with the family posing in front of the brass-crowned Gudi and the new rangoli.
Brass Gudi, Brass Idols and the Gudi Padwa Pooja from Deshna Wholesale
For apartments where a tall Gudi is not feasible, Deshna Wholesale offers a beautiful miniature brass Gudi — a 6-inch to 18-inch brass version of the traditional victory pillar with a small inverted brass kalash, neem-leaf detailing, marigold garland, and a tiny brass Ganesh at the base. Pair it with a brass Ganesh-Lakshmi pooja set, a brass kalash for the morning pooja, a brass ghanta for the archana bell, and a brass deepam for the doorstep. The brass Gudi can be reused every year and becomes a treasured family heirloom. You can also place a brass Ram Darbar, brass Shiv Parivar or brass Vithal-Rukmini idol in the pooja mandir on this day, as Chaitra Navratri begins on the same day. Shop the full Gudi Padwa collection at the Aagam brass catalogue and place a bulk Marathi New Year order with Deshna Wholesale today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Gudi Padwa 2026 — exact date and Pratipada tithi?
A: Gudi Padwa 2026 is on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The Pratipada Tithi of Chaitra Shukla Paksha begins at 06:52 AM on 19 March and ends at 04:52 AM on 20 March, with sunrise on 19 March determining the festival date.
Q: What does the Gudi represent in Gudi Padwa?
A: The Gudi is a victory flag hoisted outside the main entrance. The bamboo stick represents firmness, the silk cloth represents victory, the neem and mango leaves represent nature's protection, the inverted brass kalash represents the cosmos, and the mishri represents the sweetness of dharma. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil and is also linked to Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's coronation.
Q: Why do we eat neem-jaggery on Gudi Padwa?
A: The neem-jaggery mixture combines bitter, sweet, sour and salty flavours in one bite, teaching that life is a balanced mix of all emotions. Neem purifies the blood, jaggery boosts energy, and the ritual is a Vedic acceptance of the year ahead with resilience and grace.
Q: What is the difference between Gudi Padwa and Ugadi?
A: Both fall on the same Chaitra Shukla Pratipada day, but Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year celebrated with Gudi hoisting, neem-jaggery, Puran Poli and rangoli, while Ugadi is the Telugu and Kannada New Year celebrated with Panchanga Sravanam and Ugadi Pachadi.
Q: Can Gudi Padwa be celebrated in an apartment with a small brass Gudi?
A: Yes. A 6 to 18-inch brass Gudi from Deshna Wholesale, paired with a small brass kalash, a brass Ganesh idol, a brass ghanta, and a doorstep rangoli, allows even apartment dwellers to celebrate a complete Gudi Padwa with all the traditional symbolism intact.
Conclusion: Gudi Padwa 2026 is the Marathi New Year of victory, prosperity and renewal — a day to hoist the Gudi, eat neem-jaggery, savour Puran Poli, and welcome the Shalivahan Shaka 1948 with devotion. May the brass kalash atop your Gudi, the brass ghanta at your pooja, and the warm Puran Poli on your thali bring a year of triumph, sweetness and good karma.
For Gudi Padwa brass Gudi, brass kalash, brass Ganesh-Lakshmi idols, and bulk Marathi New Year orders, contact Deshna Wholesale — your brass partner from Khatauli for every Chaitra Pratipada.