Friday, March 20, 2026
Hindu New Year celebrated in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Marks the beginning of the new Vikram Samvat year. Families prepare Ugadi Pachadi — a dish combining six tastes representing life's emotions — and decorate doorways with mango leaves.
Dedicated to Lord Brahma (creator) and Lord Rama (for Ram Rajya)
Clean the entire house before dawn. Draw an elaborate rangoli at the main entrance. Decorate the doorway with a toran of fresh mango leaves and marigold flowers.
Take a long bamboo stick and tie a bright silk cloth near the top. Drape a garland of neem leaves, mango leaves, and marigold flowers. Top the stick with an inverted bronze kalash. The Gudi symbolises the flag of victory and prosperity.
Sit facing east or north. Hold water, akshat (unbroken rice), and a flower in your right palm. The Sankalp mantra below is pre-filled with today's panchang (tithi, nakshatra, samvat year, lunar month, and weekday) — only the bracketed cues marked [say "…"] remain for you to fill in: your city, your gotra, and your full name. Women replace गोत्रोत्पन्नः with गोत्रोत्पन्ना. Release the water, akshat, and flower onto a plate as you finish the mantra.
ॐ विष्णुर्विष्णुर्विष्णुः। श्रीमद्भगवतो महापुरुषस्य विष्णोराज्ञया प्रवर्तमानस्य अद्य ब्रह्मणो द्वितीये परार्धे श्वेतवाराहकल्पे वैवस्वतमन्वन्तरे कलियुगे प्रथमचरणे जम्बूद्वीपे भारतवर्षे भरतखण्डे आर्यावर्तान्तर्गते [say "your city name"] नगरे, विक्रम संवत्सरे 2084 (रौद्री) वत्सरे, चैत्र मासे, शुक्ल पक्षे, प्रतिपदा तिथौ, बुधवासरे, रेवती नक्षत्रे, [say "your gotra, e.g. Kashyapa"] गोत्रोत्पन्नः, [say "your full name"] नामाहम्, सकल दुरित क्षय पूर्वक सकल अभीष्ट सिद्ध्यर्थं श्री ब्रह्मा-विष्णु प्रीत्यर्थं श्री गुढी पूजनम् अहं करिष्ये।
The tithi, nakshatra, lunar month, weekday and samvat year in the mantra above are for Gudi Padwa Puja's upcoming date: Wednesday, 7 April 2027. These values auto-update each year.
Worship Lord Ganesha first with durva, flowers, and modak.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
At sunrise, hoist the Gudi outside the main door or on the terrace — right side of the entrance, preferably higher than the ground. Apply kumkum, haldi, and akshat to the Gudi. Offer chandan, flowers, and incense.
ब्रह्मध्वजाय नमः॥ गुडी ध्वजाय नमः॥
At the indoor puja altar, worship Lord Brahma — the creator of the universe on this day — and Lord Rama for his return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Perform brief Shodashopachara with chandan, flowers, naivedya, and deepa.
ॐ ब्रह्मणे नमः॥ ॐ श्रीराम चन्द्राय नमः॥
Prepare a small quantity of bevu-bella — neem leaves, jaggery, tamarind, raw mango, and ajwain mixed together. This bitter-sweet mixture is offered to the Gudi and consumed first — symbolising that life has both sorrow and joy, and both must be accepted with equanimity.
On Gudi Padwa, it is traditional to read the new year's Panchang (Nutana Varsha Panchanga) aloud — announcing the new Samvatsara, its lord (Raja), minister (Mantri), and the predicted rainfall, harvest, and political outlook for the year. Blessings for the year are sought through this recitation.
Perform aarti of the Gudi with camphor — singing 'Jai Dev Jai Dev Jai Mangal Murti'. Ring the bell throughout. Bless the family members with the aarti flame.
जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति। दर्शनमात्रे मनःकामना पुरती॥
Prepare the festive meal — puran poli, shrikhand, katachi amti, masale bhaat, and kheer. Serve on banana leaves. Elders bless the younger members with long life and prosperity. At sunset, the Gudi is respectfully lowered with a final short aarti.
This guide reflects classical Parashari tradition. Regional variations exist — consult a family priest for specifics.
