Maharashtra celebrates Gudi Padwa with pomp and fervour

In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana this festival is called Yugadi or Ugadi and will be celebrated on Wednesday.

Maharashtrians celebrated Gudi Padwa, which marks the arrival of Spring, across the globe with pomp and fervour on Tuesday. This day is celebrated with different names in different states.

In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana this festival is called Yugadi or Ugadi, and will be celebrated on Wednesday. This festival also marks the beginning of a New Year according to Hindu calendar .

The 'Gudi', which means 'doll' is created by Maharashtrians, with six ingredients that symbolize new beginnings. People celebrate the festival by offering special prayers and preparing an array of culinary preparations. Puran Poli and Kheer are two such preparations which prepared in Maharashtrian families celebrating Gudi Padwa.

This day also marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one.

Preparations for Gudi Padwa

Maharashtrian women prepare for the celebration of Marathi new year 'Gudi Padwa' in Mumbai.

Gudi Padwa in Thane

Women performing a group dance as they participate in a community parade ('Shobha Yatra'), to celebrate the Hindu new year 'Gudi Padwa', in Thane

Shobha Yatra

Women dressed in traditional Marathi attires, with placards displaying a message to save girl child, as they walk on streets during 'Shobha Yatra'.

Gudi Padwa march

Women dressed in traditional attire ride on two-wheelers as they participate in 'Shobha Yatra' to celebrate 'Gudi Padwa' in Thane.

15,000 sq ft Rangoli for Gudi Padwa

A view of 15,000 sq ft Rangoli created by 28 artists using 750 kg colours for Gudi Padwa festival at Shivaji Chowk Mill Road at Kurla in Mumbai

(All pics - PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the nation on the occasion and tweeted, "People across India are celebrating the start of the New Year...greetings to everyone."

He wished Gudi Padva to Maharashtrians, Cheti Chand to Sindhis, Ugadi to people of mid-southern states, Navreh to Kashmiris and Sajibu Cheiraoba to Manipuris -- a variety of names with which new year is referred -- in several tweets.

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