Gudi Padwa 2026: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi and How to Celebrate

Gudi Padwa 2026 will be observed on Thursday, March 19, 2026 (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada). For locations such as New Delhi the Pratipada tithi begins at 06:52 AM on March 19 and continues into the early hours of March 20; devotees should perform the Gudi hoisting and puja during the Shubh Pratah time on the morning of March 19.

When is Gudi Padwa 2026: Date & Time

Gudi Padwa — the Marathi New Year celebrated across Maharashtra and by Marathi communities worldwide — falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the lunar month of Chaitra. In 2026 the festival occurs on March 19, 2026. According to local panchang calculations for major Indian cities, the Pratipada tithi for Gudi Padwa begins in the early morning of March 19 (for New Delhi the tithi begins at 06:52 AM) and ends the following morning, giving a broad window during which the festival rituals may be observed.

Note: Panchang timings (tithi start/end, sunrise, brahmuhurta, choghadiya) vary slightly by city — check your local panchang or temple noticeboard before fixing the exact puja hour.

What is Gudi Padwa? meaning and etymology

Gudi Padwa derives its name from two Marathi words: ‘Gudi’ (a decorated neem/flag staff displayed outside the home) and ‘Padwa’ (from ‘Pratipada’, meaning the first day of the lunar fortnight). The raised gudi — a bright silk cloth, sugar‑candy garland, neem leaves and an inverted copper or silver pot — is a symbol of victory, prosperity and warding off evil.

Gudi Padwa also marks the beginning of the traditional Marathi New Year (Vikram Samvat / Shaka calendar variants) and the start of spring — a time for new beginnings, sowing and household renewal.

Historical and mythological significance

Different regions attribute varying legends to the festival: some link the gudi to King Shalivahana or the victory of Rama after his return to Ayodhya; others say the gudi commemorates the coronation of the first day of the Vikram or Shaka samvat. The festival’s core themes — renewal, victory and gratitude for the harvest — are consistently emphasised across sources.

Gudi Padwa 2026 | Panchang details

• Festival date: March 19, 2026 (Thursday).
• Tithi: Chaitra Shukla Pratipada begins 06:52 AM on March 19, 2026 and ends 04:52 AM on March 20, 2026 (timings calculated for New Delhi).
• Sunrise (approx): check local sunrise time for your city.

Because Muhurat and choghadiya change with longitude and local sunrise, many families prefer to perform the Gudi hoisting after sunrise during a Shubh choghadiya or in brahmuhurta; temples publish city‑specific timings each year.

How to make and hoist the Gudi | symbolism explained

A traditional Gudi consists of:

1. A long bamboo or wooden stick.
2. A bright silk or satin cloth (often yellow, saffron or bright green) tied near the top.
3. A garland of neem leaves and mango leaves; a string of sugar‑coated beads (shankarpali / sugar beads).
4. An inverted copper or silver pot (kalash) placed on the top.
5. Vermilion (kumkum) and turmeric (haldi) to adorn the gudi.

The gudi is hoisted outside a house near the main entrance or on a window — facing east or north — and is left up for several days. It is a visual prayer for wellness, protection and good fortune.

Puja Vidhi

1. Clean and decorate: Clean the main entrance and draw rangoli. Keep a new silk cloth, fresh neem leaves, mango leaves, and flowers ready.
2. Prepare the Gudi: Tie the silk cloth to the top of the stick, fix the garland, and place the inverted pot on top. Apply kumkum and haldi to the pot and cloth.
3. Hoisting: After sunrise or during the Shubh muhurat, fix the gudi outside the main door or balcony.
4. Offerings & aarti: Light a lamp, offer flowers and sweets (especially puran poli, shrikhanda or puranpoli), and perform a short aarti. Chant simple salutations or the following mantra if you follow a scriptural tradition: “Om Shreem Namah” or recite traditional stotras as per family custom.
5. Prasad & sharing: Share neem‑jaggery pachadi (a symbolic preparation combining bitter neem leaves and sweet jaggery) with family to mark the balance of life’s tastes.

Special Muhurat & Shubh timings

Traditionally, the morning hours — from brahmuhurta until late morning — are considered auspicious for hoisting the Gudi and performing the puja. Many families choose a Shubh choghadiya after sunrise; temples and regional pandits publish precise city‑wise muhurat each year and those timings should be followed where available.

Traditional foods & recipes

Gudi Padwa is also a festival of flavours. Typical dishes include:

• Puran Poli — sweet flatbread stuffed with chana dal and jaggery.
• Shrikhand — sweetened strained yogurt flavoured with cardamom.
• Neer/Neem‑jaggery pachadi — a bitter‑sweet dish often consumed on the festival morning to symbolise life’s dualities.

Regional names & variations

While Maharashtra calls the festival Gudi Padwa, neighbouring states celebrate similar new‑year days as Ugadi (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka), Navreh (Kashmir) or variations of the same theme. The core idea — new year, spring and harvest — remains common though local customs, foods and ritual timings vary.

Public events & temple celebrations

Major temples in Maharashtra — particularly in Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur — host special pujas, processions and cultural programmes. City administrations and cultural trusts often organise community feasts, classical music and folk dance performances that highlight Marathi traditions.

Astrological notes & practical tips

• If you have a family priest or pandit, confirm the city‑specific muhurat with them.
• Choose an auspicious choghadiya after sunrise if you must fix an exact hour.
• If tithi overlaps sunrise in your location, perform the ritual during the portion that falls in Shukla Pratipada (the bright tithi) — local panchangs help decide this.

Dos & Don’ts

• Do clean and decorate early in the morning.
• Do include neem leaves and share the pachadi to symbolise life’s bitter and sweet moments.
• Don’t hoist the Gudi during inauspicious muhurats such as Bhadra; consult your local panchang.

FAQs — quick answers

Q: Why neem and jaggery?
A: Neem (bitter) and jaggery (sweet) together are a symbolic reminder that life contains both unpleasant and pleasant experiences; the ritual is a lesson in balance and gratitude.

Q: Is Gudi Padwa same as Ugadi?
A: They mark the same lunar‑calendar new year (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada) but regional customs and names differ.

गुडी पाडवा 2026: तिथि, शुभ मुहूर्त, पूजा विधि और कैसे मनाएँ