If you happen to be in Maharashtra on Gudi Padwa, you’re in for a treat! This Marathi New Year festival is celebrated with great fervour and is a real indicator of the state’s culture. The Gudi Padwa significance extends beyond the festive celebrations—it’s a celebration of renewal, prosperity, and spiritual health.The day begins with the making of the Gudi, an important symbol of the festival. You can observe people lifting a bamboo stick with a colourful cloth, normally silk or cotton, on top of it. On the top are laid neem leaves, flowers, and a silver or copper pot representing victory and good luck. Such a Gudi is raised in front of houses as an invitation for prosperity. The Gudi Padwa significance is due to the perception that this custom invites peace, prosperity, and achievement into the household.As you walk down the streets, you’ll see elegant rangoli designs at doors, drawn by women to usher in the new year. Everyone is dressed in traditional Maharashtrian wear—women have nauvari sarees and men have dhotis or kurta-pajamas, which contribute to the festive mood of the day. In Mumbai’s Gudi Padwa, the mood of celebration is visible in every nook and corner, from crowded bazaars to secluded lanes.Gudi Padwa celebration in Mumbai also sees the arrival of families, who worship Lord Brahma seeking his blessings for the future year. Houses are filled with traditional dishes such as Puran Poli, Shrikhand, and Aamras. The celebrations for the day also consist of cultural performances and processions, hence making Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra a true cultural festival.