Maharashtrian new year Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, the new year for Kannadigas, were celebrated with zeal and fervour in the city on Monday.
Maharashtrian new year Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, the new year for Kannadigas, were celebrated with zeal and fervour in the city on Monday.
Welcoming the new year by performing a puja, the Puraniks of Shaniwar Peth told DNA that it has been many years since they are celebrating Gudi Padwa and pray for blessings of peace and happiness.
Ashwini Puranik said, “Gudi Padwa is the beginning of the new year and we welcome it by waking up early and visiting Lord Ram’s temple as the new year’s beginning is associated with him. It is said that he returned from his 14-year exile to Ayodhya on this day, which is why the day is celebrated.’’
“Besides that, Padwa does bring some goodies with it,’’ 10-year-old Pushkaraj Puranik said. “My mom prepares a lot of sweets on this day and with it we even get to gorge on potato vegetable, puris and puranpolis, which I love the most. We all relish eating these sweets and delicious food,’’ he said.
Shantanu Puranik said, “We are one of the oldest residents of Shaniwar Peth and our elders say that we are celebrating Gudi Padwa for more than 100 years. Our ancestors served the Peshwas and they too were very particular about celebrating this festival with full enthusiasm. We wear white clothes on this day as it signifies peace,’’ he added.
Radhika Sharma, a Kannadiga and a resident of Kothrud told DNA, “The day is celebrated with enthusiasm in the south, but since there are not many Kannadigas in the city, we prefer to keep it a low-profile affair.’’
Her husband Ashok Sharma, divisional manager (training) at Mercedes Benz said, “We are from Bangalore but have settled in Pune. In the south, the festival is celebrated in a grand manner and all family members and friends come together on the occasion of the new year. It is a silent celebration here. On this day, lunch is very important and a sumptuous meal is prepared that includes south Indian food with sweets like payasam (kheer), bevu bella (tender neem leaves mixed with jaggery and ghee) and kesari bhaat.’’
“On this day, blessings from our elders mean a lot to us and which is why we prefer celebrating the festival with them,’’ he added.
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