Mumbai, Apr 02: Ochre-coloured bamboo sticks adorned with fresh mango and neem leaves and sugar candy dotted the landscape in Maharashtra to mark Gudhi Paadva, the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar. Women dressed in rich 'paithani' sarees and wearing strings of fresh jasmine flowers offered puja to the Gudhi comprising a long bamboo stick covered with a silk cloth and a silver or copper pot.
According to legend, the Gudhi was erected to welcome Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after slaying the demon King Ravana.
In rural Maharashtra, the Gudhi was erected atop tiled roofs while in urban areas, people put up the traditional symbol in their modest balconies and windows.
In many a household, the tradition of reading the 'panchank' (calendar) was also followed religiously.
The sweetened condensed yoghurt popularly known as 'shrikhand' with 'puri' and the Maharashtrian all time favourite 'puran poli' -- a dish made of gram flour and jaggery were prepared in many a household to mark the first day of the first month of Chaitra.
The sweet-sour kairi panhe (raw mango syrup) and ambyachi dal (dal with mango) also remained the hot favourite.
People also bought gold and performed vaastu puja on the occasion. Bureau Report