Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year)

Several are given: Brahma created the universe on this day; Rama returned to Ayodhya and the gudi is the flag of that victory; and Shalivahana's defeat of his enemies, from which the Shalivahana Shaka era is counted.

The gudi is raised at first light, a bamboo pole with a bright silk cloth, neem and mango leaves, sugar-crystal garland (gathi) and an inverted copper or silver pot at the top, set at a window or doorway facing the street. The house is cleaned, rangoli drawn, and the year's panchang read aloud.

The signature is a mouthful of neem leaves with jaggery eaten first thing, bitterness and sweetness together, the year taken as it comes. Then puran poli, shrikhand and puri.

Maharashtra and Goa raise the gudi. Karnataka and Andhra keep the same day as Ugadi with bevu-bella, the same neem-and-jaggery idea, and ugadi pachadi, which combines six tastes for the six things a year brings. Sindhis keep it as Cheti Chand, Jhulelal's day.