According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Gudi Padwa Festival marks the beginning of the New Year. This is for the people of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Also, for union territories like Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is also a harvest festival and falls on March 22 in 2023. It is also one of the most important festivals for Maharashtrians. Just like food is an integral part of any celebration in India, same goes for Gudi Padwa too. So, here’s a signature compilation of 30 Gudi Padwa Food Recipes that can be easily made at home.
About Gudi Padwa Festival
Like I said, Gudi Padwa Festival is the New Year for Maharashtrians and the people of some other states. In Andhra Pradesh, this new year festival is known as Ugadi. For the Kannada Hindus of Karnataka, this day is Yugadi and for the Sindhi community, it is Cheti Chand.
Other states have it as:
- Poila Boishakh – West Bengal
- Bihu – Assam
- Navreh – for Kashmiri Pandits of Jammu and Kashmir
- Baisakhi – Punjab
- Vishu – Kerala
- Puthandu – Tamil Nadu
The dates may differ for each, but the essence of each of these remains the same. That is, it is the New Year for people of these regions.
Basically, the first day of the bright stage of the moon is also referred to as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and ‘padvo’ in Konkani language.
The festivities of the Gudi Padwa Festival include cleaning of houses and plastering them with fresh cow-dung, especially in the villages. The city people involve in dusting and cleaning their homes.
Other traditions include making of elegant and colorful rangolis at entrances and doorways, which is synonymous with the colors of spring.
People also put up the ‘gudhi or gudi’ in their homes, dress up in new clothes, purchase gold or precious gems, feast on delicious Gudi Padwa Food and participate in other family gatherings.
Just like the Ugadi Pachadi, a similar dish is prepared on the auspicious occasion of the Gudi Padwa too. This is one of those very traditional Gudi Padwa recipes which has the sweet and bitter flavors from the jaggery (gur or gul) and neem leaves respectively.
Significance of Gudi Padwa Festival
The arrival of spring and harvesting of Rabi crops is what the significance of Gudi Padwa Festival is, in simple terms. As I mentioned before, a very important and significant feature of this festival is the ‘gudi or gudhi,’ that is a common sight at homes during this festival.
What is a gudi? Gudi is primarily an arrangement that is made up of a long bamboo, at the top end of which, a vibrant colorful silk cloth piece is tied.
Some mango or neem leaves together with a garland of flowers (usually marigold) are attached on the top. This is eventually enclosed with a metal kalash (pot, usually made of bronze, copper or silver) and hoisted outside homes.
This entire arrangement of a gudi basically signifies the conquest and win of King Shalivahana. In his honor, it was hoisted on his return to Paithan, a town in Aurangabad in Maharashtra. This gudi is also believed to ward off evils and bring happiness and good fortune in the house.
Also, before you head to the collection of Gudi Padwa Special Food recipes, read on to know some more legends that are associated with the festival of Gudi Padwa:
- In addition to King Shalivahana, the festival also commemorates the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is also believed to be the inceptor of this festival through his victory march.
- According to a common folklore, Gudi Padwa was the day when Lord Brahma established days, weeks, months, years and created the universe.
- Another belief is that the day of Gudi Padwa signifies Lord Rama’s win and victory over evil by defeating the demon king Ravana. It was also on this day that he returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya.
Gudi Padwa Food
Along with the typical bitter-sweet prasad (symbolizing the journey of life with ups and downs) prepared on this day, families prepare other sumptuous Gudi Padwa Special Food and relish them with their loved ones.
Some of the most popular dishes in the feast are the puran poli and shrikhand. I have also mentioned about these recipes in my curated list of Gudi Padwa Food recipes below.
Here, in this list of dishes for Gudi Padwa Festival, I have shared recipes that you can easily make on this day. I have divided the list into classic and unique sweets/desserts, snacks and savories, mains and beverages.
Some of these recipes may have garlic and onion in them. You can skip these, if making a satvik meal or if offering the food to your deities.
Here’s wishing all my readers a happy and prosperous Gudi Padwa!
30 Gudi Padwa Recipes
Below are some of the Maharashtrian and some more Indian recipes that make up for a festive treat during the festival of Gudi Padwa. Like I said, these Gudi Padwa Food recipes can easily be prepared at home.
Many of the recipes for Gudi Padwa are hassle-free, easy to make, yet delectable. For some, you might have to put in extra efforts. This list consists of some traditional as well as not so classic recipes under different categories.
Gudi Padwa Sweets
Moderate
2 hrs
Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil filling made from hulled and spilt bengal gram/chana dal, jaggery and ground spices. This traditional recipe is from the Maharashtrian cuisine.
Easy
15 mins
Shrikhand is a delicious and simple dessert recipe made with thick yogurt flavored with sugar, saffron and cardamom. Get two ways of making shrikhand recipe with hung curd as well as greek yogurt.
Moderate
1 hr 30 mins
Modak or Ukadiche Modak is a traditional Maharashtrian sweet of stuffed rice flour dumplings offered to Bhagwan Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
Easy
15 mins
Suji ka halwa or Sheera is a classic Indian semolina pudding made with sugar, ghee and dry fruits. The recipe I have shared is a family heirloom recipe. We have been making this suji halwa recipe for decades during family get togethers, special occasions & festivals. The sooji halwa recipe can be easily halved, doubled or tripled.
Moderate
30 mins
An easy method to make rava laddu for Diwali or any festival. This rava ladoo also known as suji ke laddu is made with rava (sooji or semolina), coconut, powdered sugar, dry fruits and ghee.
Easy
25 mins
Basundi is a thickened, sweetened milk flavored with cardamoms, spices and nuts. This basundi recipe is a quicker version made with sweetened condensed milk and comes together under 25 minutes.
Moderate
1 hr 25 mins
This Coconut Burfi is a delish, melt in the mouth fudge made with sweetened condensed milk, milk, and desiccated coconut.
Moderate
1 hr
Fried modak is a delicious and popular modak variety made during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and offered to Bhagwan Ganesha. This recipe has the crust made of whole wheat flour with a sweet stuffing.
Moderate
30 mins
Mango Modak is a delicious variant of modak prepared with fresh sweet mango pulp and khoya/mawa (evaporated milk solids).
Moderate
1 hr 20 mins
Karanji is a crisp, flaky, fried, moon-shaped pastry stuffed with a sweet filling of desiccated coconut, nuts and dry fruits. It is also one of the sweet snack that is made during Diwali festival.
Moderate
35 mins
Moderate
1 hr 30 mins
Bobbatlu or Holige or obbattu are sweet flat breads made with chana dal stuffing or tuvar dal stuffing. This bobbatlu recipe is one of the best bobbatlu made with a spiced chana dal stuffing.
Snacks & Savories
Moderate
35 mins
Kothimbir vadi is a delicious savory crisp snack from the Maharashtrian cuisine made with gram flour (besan), coriander leaves, peanut, sesame seeds and spices. They are a popular tea time snack loaded with coriander leaves (cilantro).
Moderate
1 hr
Sweet shankarpali are crisp, flaky, melt in the mouth fried and baked biscuits. Shankarpali is a popular festive snack from Maharashtra.
Moderate
1 hr 15 mins
Chakli is a deep-fried snack made from rice flour, gram flour, wheat flour or a mixture of lentil flours. Make this crispy and crunchy snack for Diwali festival.
55 mins
Bhakarwadi is one of the popular snack from western India. Bhakarwadi are fried and crisp pinwheels or spirals. They are addictive and have a sweet, spicy and tangy taste.
Moderate
45 mins
Batata vada is a fried snack of batter-coated potato stuffed fritter dumplings. Making these take some time but absolutely worth it. I share this lip smacking delicious recipe of Maharashtrian style batata vada that you will love.
Moderate
5 hrs 30 mins
Sabudana Vada is a popular savory deep fried snack made during Hindu fasting days, featuring tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts and herbs. They are naturally gluten-free and vegan. This fool proof sabudana vada recipe gives you a super delicious crispy vada with a soft and light interior.
Moderate
25 mins
Sabudana ki khichdi is a delicious dish of tapioca pearls (sago) made with potatoes, peanuts, a few spices and usually had during Hindu fasting days like Navratri, Ekadashi, Mahashivratri. It is also a gluten-free recipe. Make the best non-sticky Sabudana Khichdi with this recipe.
Moderate
37 mins
Alu Vadi also known as Patra or Pathrode is a delicious dish of colocasia or taro root leaves smeared with a spiced, sweet and tangy gram flour paste and steamed to be tempered later.
Main Course
Moderate
1 hr 5 mins
Masala bhat is a tasty, spicy and aromatic one-pot traditional rice recipe made with various mix vegetables, spices, herbs, nuts and coconut from the Maharashtrian cuisine.
Moderate
40 mins
This is a warm, lightly spiced potato dish called Batata Bhaji with hints of coriander, ginger and other Indian spices. This semi-dry potato preparation is served with the fried Indian bread called poori (or puri) and thus called Puri Bhaji.
Easy
1 hr
Maharashtrian varan bhaat recipe – delicious lentil stew or dal made with pigeon pea lentils and served with rice.
35 mins
Katachi Amti Recipe is a thin spicy dal made from the strained stock of cooked chana dal/bengal gram. It is usually served with puran poli but also can be served with steamed rice.
Moderate
1 hr
Usal is a Maharashtrian curried dish made with legumes/sprouted legumes or mixed sprouted beans and is had with pav (dinner rolls), chapati or rice. This Usal recipe comes from the Konkan region of the Maharashtra state in India.
Beverages
Easy
10 mins
The classic Chaas (Chaach/Mattha) also known as the Indian version of buttermilk is a refreshingly cooling summer drink made with creamy yogurt and seasonings. It is an excellent body cooler, digestive and appetizer. Find two easy chaas recipes – Masala Chaas and Pudina Chaas.
Easy
40 mins
Solkadhi (also known as solkadi, sol kadhi, kokum kadhi or kokum curry) is a cooling drink best had during hot summers. This mauve-hued, tart digestive beverage from the Goan cuisine is easy to make.
Easy
5 mins
Piyush recipe is a thick, creamy sweet beverage made with shrikhand, yogurt and milk. Summer cooling drink.
Moderate
15 mins
Masala milk is sweetened flavored milk beverage from the Maharashtrian cuisine. A mix of nuts and a few spices are added which makes the masala doodh aromatic as well as delicious
Moderate
20 mins
Aam ka panna is a cooling Indian summer drink made with unripe green tart mangoes. It is slightly sour and sweet to taste and is flavored with cardamom, cumin and black salt. This recipe post shows the method of making both aam panna syrup concentrate and the drink using the method of boiling as well as roasting mangoes.
This Gudi Padwa Food recipes post for Gudi Padwa 2023 is from the archives first published on March 2017 has been updated and republished on March 2023.
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