Gudi Padwa / Ugadi 2008
New-year day of the Deccan — the gudhi is hoisted and neem-jaggery shared.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:43
- Sunset18:16
- Fasting window (tithi)2008-04-06 · 09:27 → 06:12
- Parana (tithi ends)06:12
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Gudi Padwa / Ugadi puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaGudi Padwa / Ugadi — Frequently Asked Questions
When is Gudi Padwa?
On the Shukla Pratipada of Chaitra, the first day of the Hindu lunar year, usually in late March or early April. It also opens Chaitra Navratri. This year's date is shown above.
What does the gudi represent?
The gudi — a bright cloth on a bamboo topped with an upturned pot, neem and mango leaves — is a flag of victory and welcome, raised for the new year and, in tradition, for Rama's return to Ayodhya. It is worshipped and lowered by sunset.
Why is neem eaten with jaggery on Gudi Padwa?
Taking the bitter neem with sweet jaggery at the year's first meal is an acceptance of both the bitter and the sweet the year will bring, and has a seasonal logic — neem cools and purifies the blood as the summer heat begins.
Is Gudi Padwa the same as Ugadi?
They are the same day — the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada new year — kept as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and the Konkan and as Ugadi in Karnataka, Andhra and Telangana, with regional customs.
Other major festivals in 2008
- Makar Sankranti — 15 January 2008
- Vasant Panchami — 11 February 2008
- Maha Shivaratri — 6 March 2008
- Holika Dahan — 21 March 2008
- Holi — 22 March 2008
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 7 April 2008
- Ram Navami — 13 April 2008
- Akshaya Tritiya — 7 May 2008
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 4 July 2008
- Guru Purnima — 18 July 2008
- Nag Panchami — 6 August 2008
- Raksha Bandhan — 16 August 2008
- Krishna Janmashtami — 23 August 2008
- Hartalika Teej — 2 September 2008
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 3 September 2008
- Anant Chaturdashi — 14 September 2008
- Pitru Paksha begins — 16 September 2008
- Sharad Navratri begins — 30 September 2008
- Durga Ashtami — 7 October 2008
- Maha Navami — 8 October 2008
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 9 October 2008
- Karwa Chauth — 17 October 2008
- Dhanteras — 26 October 2008
- Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — 27 October 2008
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 28 October 2008
- Govardhan Puja — 29 October 2008
- Bhai Dooj — 31 October 2008
- Chhath Puja — 4 November 2008
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 13 November 2008
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 13 November 2008
- Hindu Festivals 2008 →