Gudhi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Marathi and Konkani Hindus. It is celebrated in and near Maharashtra and Goa on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. Every year, Bollywood celebrities ring in the festival with much enthusiasm, happiness, and love. But due to the unfortunate Coronavirus outbreak and lockdown, B-town decided to keep the celebration lowkey this year. 

Riteish Deshmukh, Urmila Matondkar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Padmini Kolhapure, Isha Koppikar, and Swapnil Joshi spoke to a leading daily and shared how they will be celebrating the festival this year. 

Riteish Deshmukh 

We must respect the lockdown as it is the need of the hour. But at the same time, we should celebrate every occasion that brings us cheer. This year, we will celebrate Gudi Padwa in a small way.

Urmila Matondkar

Gudi Padwa is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into our homes. So, this Padwa will be all about offering prayers for the entire country to ward off the evil of coronavirus. This year's celebration is certainly going to be different as it is all indoors and without any guests.

Amruta Khanvilkar

Usually, I begin the day by hoisting the gudi. It symbolizes new beginnings, new hopes, and aspirations. I have been celebrating it from my earlier days in Pune. Given the current situation, we need a lot of good vibes and positive energy. So, I’m going to celebrate it at home in a low-key manner, but the traditional way.

Padmini Kolhapure

Every year, my sisters, Tejaswini and Shivangi, would get together with me to celebrate. But this year, we will perform the pooja in our respective homes. Balcony pe gudi ubharenge and we’ll have puranpoli after offering it as naivedya. This year, we all have to ensure that we don’t organise family gatherings.

Isha Koppilkar Narang

On Gudi Padwa, we invite auspiciousness, positivity and well-being into our lives. My parent’ wedding anniversary falls on this day as per the Hindu calendar and generally, we celebrate it with a massive feast with all extended family members. However, this year, because of the quarantine, we will limit it to a video call with them. At my marital home, I will be making some puranpoli with my daughter Rianna, who loves cooking. We will also create some multi-hued rangolis in our home temple.

Swwapnil Joshi

I hope that this Gudi Padwa puts an end to the spread of the coronavirus. I wish and pray for a year of positivity and peace of mind. May this new year bring a lot of good health and hopefully, everyone can make some money as people have incurred a lot of losses, too.

Wishing everyone a very happy Gudi Padwa.

(Source: Bombay Times)