Gudi Padwa Food Recipes | Gudi Padwa 2024

According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Gudi Padwa Festival marks the beginning of the New Year. This is for the people of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Also, for union territories like Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is also a harvest festival and falls on April 9 in 2024. It is also one of the most important festivals for Maharashtrians. Just like food is an integral part of any celebration in India, same goes for Gudi Padwa too. So, here’s a signature compilation of 30 Gudi Padwa Food Recipes that can be easily made at home.

About Gudi Padwa Festival

Like I said, Gudi Padwa Festival is the New Year for Maharashtrians and the people of some other states. In Andhra Pradesh, this new year festival is known as Ugadi. For the Kannada Hindus of Karnataka, this day is Yugadi and for the Sindhi community, it is Cheti Chand.

Other states have it as:

• Poila Boishakh – West Bengal
• Bihu – Assam
• Navreh – for Kashmiri Pandits of Jammu and Kashmir
• Baisakhi – Punjab
• Vishu – Kerala
• Puthandu – Tamil Nadu

The dates may differ for each, but the essence of each of these remains the same. That is, it is the New Year for people of these regions.

Basically, the first day of the bright stage of the moon is also referred to as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and ‘padvo’ in Konkani language.

The festivities of the Gudi Padwa Festival include cleaning of houses and plastering them with fresh cow-dung, especially in the villages. The city people involve in dusting and cleaning their homes.

Other traditions include making of elegant and colorful rangolis at entrances and doorways, which is synonymous with the colors of spring.

People also put up the ‘gudhi or gudi’ in their homes, dress up in new clothes, purchase gold or precious gems, feast on delicious Gudi Padwa Food and participate in other family gatherings.

Just like the Ugadi Pachadi, a similar dish is prepared on the auspicious occasion of the Gudi Padwa too. This is one of those very traditional Gudi Padwa recipes which has the sweet and bitter flavors from the jaggery (gur or gul) and neem leaves respectively.

Significance of Gudi Padwa Festival

The arrival of spring and harvesting of Rabi crops is what the significance of Gudi Padwa Festival is, in simple terms. As I mentioned before, a very important and significant feature of this festival is the ‘gudi or gudhi,’ that is a common sight at homes during this festival.

What is a gudi? Gudi is primarily an arrangement that is made up of a long bamboo, at the top end of which, a vibrant colorful silk cloth piece is tied.

Some mango or neem leaves together with a garland of flowers (usually marigold) are attached on the top. This is eventually enclosed with a metal kalash (pot, usually made of bronze, copper or silver) and hoisted outside homes.

This entire arrangement of a gudi basically signifies the conquest and win of King Shalivahana. In his honor, it was hoisted on his return to Paithan, a town in Aurangabad in Maharashtra. This gudi is also believed to ward off evils and bring happiness and good fortune in the house.

Also, before you head to the collection of Gudi Padwa Special Food recipes, read on to know some more legends that are associated with the festival of Gudi Padwa:  

• In addition to King Shalivahana, the festival also commemorates the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is also believed to be the inceptor of this festival through his victory march.
• According to a common folklore, Gudi Padwa was the day when Lord Brahma established days, weeks, months, years and created the universe.
• Another belief is that the day of Gudi Padwa signifies Lord Rama’s win and victory over evil by defeating the demon king Ravana. It was also on this day that he returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Gudi Padwa Food

Along with the typical bitter-sweet prasad (symbolizing the journey of life with ups and downs) prepared on this day, families prepare other sumptuous Gudi Padwa Special Food and relish them with their loved ones.

Some of the most popular dishes in the feast are the puran poli and shrikhand. I have also mentioned about these recipes in my curated list of Gudi Padwa Food recipes below.

Here, in this list of dishes for Gudi Padwa Festival, I have shared recipes that you can easily make on this day. I have divided the list into classic and unique sweets/desserts, snacks and savories, mains and beverages.

Some of these recipes may have garlic and onion in them. You can skip these, if making a satvik meal or if offering the food to your deities.

Here’s wishing all my readers a happy and prosperous Gudi Padwa!

30 Gudi Padwa Recipes

Below are some of the Maharashtrian and some more Indian recipes that make up for a festive treat during the festival of Gudi Padwa. Like I said, these Gudi Padwa Food recipes can easily be prepared at home.

Many of the recipes for Gudi Padwa are hassle-free, easy to make, yet delectable. For some, you might have to put in extra efforts. This list consists of some traditional as well as not so classic recipes under different categories.

Gudi Padwa Sweets

Snacks & Savories

Main Course

Beverages

This Gudi Padwa Food recipes collection from the archives was first published on March 2017. It has been updated and republished on March 2023.