Gudhi: The Icon of Victory
   Date :13-Apr-2021

Women dressed in traditio
 Women dressed in traditional attire performing pooja of Gudhi, in Maharashtra.
 
 
By Dr Ramaa Golwalkar :
 
Hindu Calendar begins at new moon day of Chaitra month. Within a month of Zoroastrians rejoicing their Navroz on summer equinox, all Indian States celebrate Indian New Year. In Maharashtra, we call it ‘Gudhi Padawa’. In Kashmir it is ‘Navareh’, ‘Yugadi’ in Karnataka; ‘Udagi’ in Andhra Pradesh; ‘Pana Sankranti’ in Odisha; Sindhi community celebrates ‘Chait-e-chand’; and in Manipur it is ‘Sajibu Nongma Panba’. The Balinese people from Bali Island (Indonesia) have their new year on the same day. They call it ‘Nyepi’. Similarly, April 14 is very significant in Assam as ‘Bihu’, Paschim Bongo as ‘Pahela Baishakh’, Tamil Nadu as ‘Puthandu’, and in Kerala as ‘Vishu’. In Maharashtra, a very unique tradition is followed in every household on this first day of Hindu New Year. A daylong temporary structure called ‘Gudhi’ in Marathi, is ceremoniously installed at the entrance for a public display. All necessary components are eco-friendly, available in abundance, and each one representing one or more intention/s and message/s for the people living in the vicinity.
 

Balinese New Year in Bali 
 Penjor erected at each
household for Nyepi, the Balinese New Year in Bali, Indonesia to celebrate.
(Photo Courtesy:
Owen W Knight)
 
 
A long bamboo pole is decorated with a ‘Jari’ border saree, garland of seasonal flowers, a branch of Neem tree with its inflorescence, a branch of Mango tree, a garland of Sugar pendants (‘Gathi’). On top of it is an inverted silver or copper pitcher tied with thread and painted with sandalwood paste and kumkum. It symbolises key to a successful life in a nutshell. Bamboo belongs to grass family and is known for its flexibility and termite resistance. It is one of the most used natural produces. From mat to fabric and furniture to food, from cradle to bier, bamboo was indispensible in pre-plastic era. It signifies flexibility and multi-tasking, the most important qualities to achieve success in life. The fabric of life should have ‘Jari’ border of morals and ethics. Flowering is the first step of fruit-bearing process. Blossom or inflorescence is treated as dawn of fruitfulness.
 
Neem leaves are bitter in taste and proven disinfectant. Life is full of bitter experiences, which always keep us grounded. Mango is the tastiest juicy fruit with different flavours and falls in the category of evergreen trees. Silver or copper purifies and ionizes water. Hence, drinking water is stored in containers made of either of the two. It has a philosophical perspective too. The ‘Upanisadik’ treatise use an allegory of pitcher (‘Ghata’) to denote body while explaining the concept of ‘Brahman’. Brahman is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent and the same is present in ‘Akash’ (space) and ‘Ghatakash’ (body). Similarly, inverted pitcher represents womb as it has a downward opening. This womb is of future and has assorted sweet and bitter experiences for everyone. ‘Chandan’ has a sweet fragrance with cooling effect and ‘kumkum’ (auspicious bright red colour) signifies enthusiasm and creativity culminating into prosperity.
 
The thread tied on the pitcher signifies tying of all these qualities together, a perfect recipe for success. Hence, ‘Gudhi’ is called ‘Brahma-dhvaja’, ‘Indra-dhvaja’ or ‘Vijay-dhvaja’ used in ancient India by citizens in procession to welcome back their victorious King. In the present context, this whole artifact is used only once in a year and has its mentions in the most ancient scriptures as the symbol of victory. It signifies the battle we fight every moment and win over all the adverse, unfavorable, critical situations. It includes victory of our body continuously fighting with various kinds of infections, winning all sorts of negative thoughts, confusion, stress, anger, anxiety, frustration, depressions and so on; overcoming all sorts of temptations, diversions, deviations while moving forward towards the aim. ‘Gudhi’ is the icon of triumph in the continuous battle with death in particular by being alive for one more year. (The author is Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Archaeology, Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Instt, Yerwada, Pune)