Maharashtra news year is celebrated on Gudi Padwa which begins with Chaitra. The new year is welcomed by erecting a gudi. There is a very enthusiastic atmosphere on this day. The Hindu New Year comes with a new Samvatsar every year. Gudi Padwa is on March 19, 2026, and this year Shree Shalivahan Shaka 1948 is starting. This year, the Samvatsar called Patra is going to start. Samvatsar is a period of one year or twelve months. According to the lunar year, this period is about 354 days. It is also called 'Chandra Varsha'. On the day of Gudi Padwa, one Saka Samvatsar ends and another begins.
Samvatsar means a time cycle, and it is a method of measuring time. Apart from the Shalivahan Shaka, there are many other Samvatsars. In 60 years, 5 orbits of Jupiter and 2 orbits of Saturn around the Sun are completed and the positions of both of them in the sky are repeated. 1/12 of the orbit of Jupiter is one Samvatsar. Jupiter takes about 12 years to orbit the Sun. That is, 1 Samvatsar. 85 years are completed in 86 Samvatsars. Due to some differences, one year is lost. Samvatsar is considered a part of Mahakaal.
- Shriram Navratri Festival: Ram Navami, celebrating Lord Vishnu's seventh Ramavatar, falls on the Shuddha Navami of Chaitra. During his exile, Shriram met Sugriva and learned of Bali's tyranny. Shriram then killed Bali, liberating the South from his atrocities. The people celebrated by erecting a Gudi of Victory, which is believed to be the origin of Gudi Padwa.
- Chaitra Vasantik Navratri Festival:Of the four Navratri festivals in the Marathi year, the first occurs in Chaitra. This Navratri is widely celebrated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh with nine days of Goddess Vrat, Puja, and Bhajan. Each day is dedicated to a different form of the Goddess: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandha Mata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri.
Gudi Padwa and Health
Although Gudi Padwa, the month of Chaitra is celebrated as a Hindu religion, culture and New Year, it is equally important from the point of view of health. In Andhra Pradesh, a special type of prasad is distributed on this day. Consuming this prasad helps the human body to stay healthy. It is also said to have the ability to cure skin diseases. Consuming mango provides a large amount of calcium. Also, neem chutney is considered digestive for the body. Many special diets are taken to prepare the body to withstand the scorching heat of the summer.