Mumbaikars, dressed in traditional attire, participate in a procession to mark Gudi Padwa at Bhatwadi, Girgaon, Mumbai on April 9, 2024 (File Pic/Kirti Surve Parade)
Gudi Padwa holds immense cultural significance in the city, bringing people together to celebrate the festival in traditional and vibrant ways.
Shobha Yatras, or processions, are one of the most important parts of the festivities in Mumbai. City residents enthusiatically participate in processions, reflecting Maharashtrian culture and heritage.
These processions take place across the city, featuring dhol tasha and other celebratory activities. Girgaon Shobha Yatra is one of the most renowned Gudi Padwa processions of Mumbai.
People are at their fashionable best as they don traditional attire like nauvari saree (women), and dhoti and kurta (men), completing the look with pheta and jewellery.
Mumbaikars also engage in folk songs and dances, and prepare festive delicacies like Puran Poli and Shrikhand.
Residential societies and community organisations host cultural programs, competitions, etc., contributing to the festive spirit.
Since the festival marks the beginning of a new year, devotees visit temples to seek blessings. At home, families celebrate the festival with colourful floor decorations and the special Gudi flag, garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, also including an inverted silver or copper vessel.
This auspicious festival derives its name from two words — 'gudi' which refers to the flag of Lord Brahma and 'padwa' which signifies the first day of the lunar fortnight.
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