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Chaitra shukla pratipada (March-April) · maharashtra, andhra-pradesh, telangana, karnataka, tamil-nadu, sindhi-community
(1) Brahma created the universe on this day; (2) Matsya saved Manu and the Vedas; (3) Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana; (4) Shalivahana defeated the Shakas (start of Shalivahana Shaka era). New year for many regions.
Gudi Pādwā (Maharashtra), Ugādi (Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana), Cheti Cand (Sindhi community), Yugādi (variant Telugu) — all are observances of Caitra śukla pratipadā, the first day of the Hindu lunar year. The day marks Brahma's act of creating the universe, the start of Tretā Yuga, Rāma's coronation in Ayodhyā, and Śālivāhana's defeat of the Shakas (whose calendar — Śālivāhana Shaka — begins from this day, currently 1948 SE in 2026 CE).
Gudi Pādwā is named for the gudi — a decorated bamboo pole with cloth, neem leaves, mango leaves, sugar-crystals, and a copper pot inverted on top — that is hoisted outside every Marathi home on this morning. The gudi symbolises Indra's flag (Indra-dhvaja) raised after the gods' victory; it also symbolises Maharashtra's resistance through history. The gudi is hoisted at sunrise, faces east (toward the rising sun), and is lowered at sunset — a single-day ritual of cosmic reset.
Ugādi in southern states is centred on the Ugādi Pacchaḍī — a six-flavoured preparation (tamarind for sour, jaggery for sweet, neem flowers for bitter, raw mango for tangy, salt for salty, chilli for hot) that is eaten as the first food of the new year. The six flavours represent the six emotions of life — sorrow, joy, surprise, anger, fear, disgust — which life will deliver in the coming year, and which the devotee accepts in advance. The Pañcāṅga Śravaṇa (hearing the year's panchanga from the family priest) is also a Ugādi tradition.
Gudi Pādwā / Ugādi is the festival of cosmic and personal renewal. Brahma's creation, Rāma's coronation, Śālivāhana's victory all converge on this day — all are restartings, fresh beginnings after long darkness. The gudi's vertical posture is the image: the new year stands tall, the sugar at its top is the sweet promise, the neem at its base the bitter discipline, the mango leaves the in-between flavours of life. The Ugādi Pacchaḍī teaches the same six-flavour wisdom: this year will hold every taste; accept all of them in advance.
Pre-dawn
Bath. Apply oil to body before bathing (abhyaṅga). Wear new clothes.
Sunrise
Hoist the gudi outside the front door, on the right side (eastern compound). Worship it with akṣata, kumkum, sandalwood. Recite Brahma-mantras and Sūrya-arghya.
Morning
Family meal — Ugādi Pacchaḍī first (six flavours), then full meal with puran-poli or bobbatlu. Visit elders.
Afternoon
Pañcāṅga Śravaṇa — gather as a family while the priest (or eldest) reads the year's panchanga. Hear about the year's predicted muhūrtas, eclipses, festivals. Children especially receive blessings.
Sunset
Lower the gudi with reverence. Offer the sugar-crystal mala from its top to family members.
Puran poli · Shrikhand-puri · Ugadi pachadi (6-rasa) · Bobbatlu · Coconut barfi
Have children help build the gudi — they love climbing the courtyard ladder to help fix it. The Ugādi Pacchaḍī tasting (especially the chili and the neem) is a memorable family moment that everyone participates in. The Pañcāṅga Śravaṇa, where the priest reads the year's predictions, can be made interactive — children remember which months are 'auspicious for them' all year.
Gudi Pādwā / Ugādi is well-supported in NRI Marathi and Telugu communities. Marathi Mandals in major Western cities organise community Gudi-hoistings. The Ugādi Pacchaḍī ingredients are all available at Indian-grocery stores. For families without community access, the home gudi-hoisting and Pacchaḍī-tasting fully embodies the festival.
marathi
गुढी पाडव्याच्या शुभेच्छा · Guḍī Pāḍavyācyā Śubhecchā
kannada
ಯುಗಾದಿ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು · Yugādi Śubhāśayagaḷu
telugu
ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు · Ugādi Śubhākāṅkṣalu
sindhi
चेटी चंड · Cetī Caṃḍa Mubārak
Caitra śukla pratipadā. The gudi must be hoisted before noon — sunrise is preferred. The lowering at sunset is part of the ritual; do not leave overnight.
| 2026 | March 19 (Thursday) |
| 2027 | April 7 (Wednesday) |
| 2028 | March 27 (Monday) |
| 2029 | March 16 (Friday) |
| 2030 | April 4 (Thursday) |
Traditional Hindu panchang Chaitra Shukla Pratipada new-year practice
Used for Chaitra new year, samvatsara start, and panchanga-shravana framing.
Maharashtra Gudi Padwa and Deccan Ugadi household traditions
Used for gudi hoisting, Ugadi pachadi, bevu-bella, and regional new-year practice caveats.
Sindhi Hindu Cheti Chand community tradition
Used only for the Sindhi Hindu new-year label within the combined Chaitra Shukla Pratipada page.
PujaKit Hindu Festival Calendar 2026
Internal calendar baseline lists Gudi Padwa / Ugadi on March 19, 2026.