Gudi Padwa is the Marathi New Year festival that marks the beginning of the traditional new year in Maharashtra.
It falls on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which corresponds to March-April.
This year, Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on March 22 as per the Marathi panchang, and it is also observed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as Ugadi, and in Karnataka as Yugadi.
The festival is celebrated with traditional rituals and great enthusiasm in Maharashtra.
Lord Brahma's creation of the universe and King Shalivahana's victory are two legends associated with the occasion.
The Gudi, a symbol of triumph representing victory, prosperity, and happiness, is made by wrapping a bamboo pole with a fresh cloth and a garland of sugar candy and neem leaves.
People offer prayers and consume neem leaf prasad to seek blessings.
On this day, people decorate their homes, prepare special delicacies, wear new clothes, and visit temples.
The Gudi hoisting is the main highlight of the festival, and in some parts of Maharashtra, children are taught the first letter of the alphabet in the Aksharabhyasam ritual for a bright future in education.