Written by Garima Johar Has been updated: April 8, 2024
Gudi Padwa is a Maharashtrian festival that marks the beginning of the new year according to the lunisolar calendar. To mark a new beginning, why not celebrate with a traditional Maharashtrian recipe?
There are many Hindu festivals that celebrate the New Year across India according to the lunisolar calendar. In Maharashtra, people celebrate the beginning of the new year with Gudi Padwa. This year’s Gudi Padwa is his Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In some states, several festivals such as Baisakhi, Bishu and Bihu are held on the same day.
But what all festivals have in common is a rich and delicious spirit. Indians from all states celebrate the year with great spirit and traditional cuisine. For Gudi Padwa, people of Maharashtra hoist the iconic Gudi flag, gather in bright colors and fill the air with fragrant delicacies. If you are looking for traditional Gudi Padwa recipes, here are some recipes that are absolutely loved by Maharashtrians.
Undoubtedly, puran poli is the star of Gudi Padwa, which is made in almost every Maharashtrian household. A sweet flatbread filled with chana dal (lentils) cooked with jaggery and spices such as cardamom and nutmeg. Puranpoli can be made at home by rolling out flour dough into a circular shape and filling it with lentil filling.
Batata bhaji is another famous Maharashtrian dish made using potatoes. To make it at home, boil the potatoes and cook with chopped onions and tomatoes and your favorite spices. Once the potatoes are well coated with the masala, add the green chillies and ginger for added flavour. It can be combined with puri to make a healthy meal.
Since many people fast on Gudi Padwa, they eat food made with sabudana (tapioca). Sabudana khichudi is one of the many delicious dishes that can be made using sabudana during Gudi Padwa. Just soak the sabudana till it swells. Then cook it with boiled potatoes, peanuts and your favorite spices. Squeeze coriander and lemon over the khichdi and enjoy warm.
Shrikhand is also a famous dessert and a perfect way to start the new year on Gudi Padwa. Yogurt-based desserts can be made at home using strained yogurt, sugar, and spices such as cardamom or saffron. Mix the creamy mixture with chopped dried fruits and nuts for an instant melt-in-your-mouth dessert.
Modak is a specialty of Maharashtra. Modak is considered Lord Ganesh’s favorite food, so his Padwa celebrations are not complete without dessert. These are sweet dumplings made by kneading rice flour dough and shaping it into small cup shapes. Next, pour the coconut, jaggery and cardamom rich filling into the cup. Seal the top, steam the modak and enjoy the Maharashtrian dessert.
