Happy gudi padwa

The first Holy festival which marks the beginning of the
New Year, new month and new day for the Hindus falls
on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. It is known as Gudhi Padwa
(in Maharashtra), Ugadi (in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh).
[In other parts of country it is celebrated during Nau Roz
(Kashmir), Baisakhi (Punjab), Cheti Chand (Sindhi),
Naba Barsha (Bengal), Goru Bihu (Assam), Puthandu
(Tamil Nadu), Vishu (Kerala)] On this very day Lord
Brahma created the Universe. Therefore for Hindus, this
day carries special importance. The day is celebrated
with an auspicious bath, followed by decorating the
doorway with a ‘toran’, performing ritualistic worship
and hoisting the Gudhi.
Gudhi Padwa is celebrated as Ugadi (or Yugadi) in
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The day, begins with
ritual showers (oil bath) followed by pooja to god and
Panchanga Shravana.Houses are decorated with Mango
Leaves and Rangoli and everyone in the family wear new
clothes and celebrate the festival by wishing each other
New year greetings.
The eating of a specific mixture called Bevu-Bella (Neem
and Jaggery) in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is
a mixture of good and bad, Happiness and Sorrow.
Eating bitter Neem and Sweet Jaggery means one need
to take both Good and Bad or Happiness and Sorrow
should be accepted together and with equanimity
through the New Year. The special mixture consists of:
1. Neem Buds/Flowers for its bitterness, signifying
Sadness
2. Jaggery which is sweet, signifying Happiness
In Karnataka a special dish called Obbattu or Holige
(Puran Poli), is prepared on this occasion. It consists of
a filling (gram and jaggery/sugar boiled and made in to a
paste) stuffed in a flat roti like bread. It is usually eaten
hot/cold with ghee or milk topping or coconut milk at
some places of Karnataka.
Gudhipadwa is a Yugadi tithi (A lunar day that marks the
beginning of an Era). Since Deity Brahma created the
universe on this day, scriptures describe gudhi as the
Brahmadhwaj (Flag of Deity Brahma). Prajapati waves are
present in maximum proportion on this day, and by
ritualistically worshipping a gudhi on this day the
worshipper gets maximum benefit of these waves.
Since gudhi is also a symbol of Bhagwan Shriram’s
victory, it is also known as Vijayadhwaj (Flag of victory).
Therefore, ritualistic worship of gudhi is not only the
worship of Brahmatej (Radiance of Brahman), but is also
the worship of Kshatratej (Radiance of Kshatriya).
According to the tenet that man should perform spiritual
practice and abide by Dharma (Righteousness) as per
the times, it is essential for Hindus to worship the
Brahman and Kshatra forms of the gudhi.
Besides victory, the gudhi also symbolises joy. Shriram
returned to Ayodhya after slaying demon Ravan. This
marked the beginning of Ramrajya. Gudhis were erected
in Ayodhya then as symbols of joy.
The Gudi is a symbol of victory. Amongst the various
qualities of God, ‘Being Victorious’ is one and it
symbolizes that God has achieved victory at the outset
and at various levels. To symbolize this at every level of
war, a Gudi is hoisted.
Indian society is largely dependendent on agriculture
and e celebrations and festivals are often linked with
changing seasons and to the sowing and reaping of
crops. The word ‘padwa’ is a Sanskrit word for crop,
which literally means ‘Pradurbhu.’ This day also marks
the end of one harvest and the beginning of a new one,
which for an agricultural community would signify the
beginning of a New Year. Gudi Padwa is celebrated at
the end of the Rabi season.
On this auspicious day of Hindu New Year I wish all my
readers good health, great work, contented life,
prosperity, Knowledge, freedom of thoughts & action and
most importantly peace of mind. :)
“Gudi Padvyachya Hardik Shubhecha…”

Ratnadurg

Ratnadurg - The Ratnadurga
and Bhagwati forts were built during the Bijapur
dynasty and captured by Chatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj from the Adilshah and fortified by him in
1670. The forts are on a hill and its three sides are sea
facing. The forts are spread in an area of 120 Acres.
Both the forts are worth seeing and the Bhagwati fort
also has a temple of Bhagwati Devi.

Pawas(Ratnagiri)

Pawas- A village with
captivating natural beauty. This is a prime spiritual
place in Ratnagiri district due to a very long stay of
Swami (saint) Swaroopanand. Swami Swaroopanand
was a follower of Warkari Sampraday ( Tradition).

AMBOLI, MAHARASHTRA

On the impossibly green road to Goa, just after Kudal,
but before Sawantwadi, there is a little left turn that
leads to one of the most splendid monsoon destinations
in western India. Amboli, a little village that comes alive
in this season due to its waterfalls and the translucent
mist that drifts in and out from the hills.
Even on the winding road up to the little wet village,
you'll find towering masts of dense forests. You can
also see three-tiered waterfalls tumbling down the
hillside. Sometimes, when the clouds droop lower than
the hills, it seems as if the waterfall has dropped from
the sky above.
The beauty of Amboli's waterworks is that most of them
burst into life only in the rains. And around the biggest,
sprout a clutch of dhabas and tea stalls. But there are
plenty hidden in the folds of the hills for you to hunt out
for your moment of peace. A word of caution though, the
rocks can be very slippery and the force of the water is
strong enough to sweep you off your feet. My advice
would be to go to Amboli early in the day because the
place is a popular one. And brace yourself for the sight
of men in undergarments of varying stages of elasticity
that have been called upon to serve as swimwear. Once
you've had your fill of bathing and shivering in the
cascading water you can start exploring the other
attractions.
There's the old ruin of Madhavgad Fort and a few
temples around the village. But if that isn't your scene,
just go beyond the village and spend some time in the
open fields. During the monsoons, a delicate network of
little streams runs through these. Cattle graze in the
fields; the villagers are quite friendly and up for a chat.

Getting there:
Amboli is 511km from the start of the Mumbai-Pune
Expressway. To get there, exit the expressway after the
first toll booth, cross the bridge over the expressway
and take the road to Parli that joins NH17 (the Goa road)
at Nagothane. Then head towards Goa and you can
break journey at Chiplun, 224km away. A good place to
stay here is the Quality Resorts Hotel Riverview Chiplun.