Celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month according to Lunisolar Hindu calendar, Gudi Padwa (Sounsar Padvo) marks the New Year's Day for Hindus in India. It is significant for two reasons -- the start of spring and the day on which Lord Brahma created the world (and time began to tick from this day forth) after the great deluge according to the Brahma Puran.
A gudi made up of a green or yellow cloth with brocade draped around a long stick over which sugar crystals, neem leaves, mango leaves and a garland of flowers are tied is hoisted outside the window or door usually on the right side which symbolizes active state of the soul. A silver or copper pot known as tambya is also placed atop the bamboo stick in an inverted position. This gudi is believed to ward off evil and invite prosperity and good luck into the house.
All festivities traditionally begin by eating the bittersweet leaves of the neem tree which is believed to have medicinal value. A paste of neem leaves mixed with coriander seeds, jaggery and tamarind believed to help improve the immune system and purify blood is also consumed.
The food on the occasion of Gudi Padva in a typical Konkani family includes puran poli, sevaiya kheer, kanangachi kheer, etc.
The Goan festival of Shigmo also concludes on this day. Some villages have ranmale performances on this night. In Nanoda in Bicholim, a folk dance called ghode modni is performed on the previous day of gudi padwa. In Gaondongri, unmarried youth from the Velip community take part in a Dinya Jatra by carrying a stick of dino (Leea indica) decorated with flowers.
