Gudi Padwa
The Marathi New Year, when every home raises a gudi and the city celebrates with processions.
Quick facts
- Month:
- March or April
- Known for:
- Gudi at every door, shobha yatras
Gudi Padwa marks the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra and the start of the new year in Maharashtra. Families raise a gudi, a bamboo stick with a bright cloth, a copper pot, neem leaves and a garland of sugar, at the door or window. Many areas of Pune hold shobha yatras with dhol tasha groups and people in traditional dress.
Gudi Padwa is also considered a good day to buy gold, a new vehicle or a home.
More in Festivals of Pune
- Palkhi (Ashadhi Wari) Every year the palkhis of Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram pass through Pune with lakhs of Varkaris walking to Pandharpur.
- Navratri and Dasara Nine nights of the goddess, with the Chaturshrungi fair, garba and dandiya, ending in Dasara.
- Diwali The festival of lights: lamps, kandils, rangoli, faral and shopping crowds on Laxmi Road.
- Shiv Jayanti The birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, celebrated on 19 February with processions and programmes.
- Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav One of India's most important classical music festivals, held in Pune every December since 1953.
- Christmas and Eid in Camp The Camp area celebrates both festivals in style: midnight mass and plum cakes at Christmas, and the lanes around East Street on Eid.
Sources: Written by PuneDiary. Facts checked 10 October 2026.