Hope runs high this Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the beginning of a new year as per the Hindu calendar. From offering prayers at temples and cleaning homes in the hope of a good year ahead, to making resolutions for the future, there are many traditions associated with the festival, known by different names across the country. Among Marathi and Konkani Hindus, it is known as Gudi Padwa. We speak to some actors in Tinsel Town on how they plan to celebrate the day of new beginnings, and their hopes for the year ahead.  

A day for resolutions

I have a strong belief that God is our source of hope and happiness. I celebrate Gudi Padwa the traditional way. On the auspicious occasion of the onset of the New Year, I follow all the traditions and pray to God to shower his blessings on us. This festival signifies prosperity and victory. Many of us make resolutions on January 1, but I make resolutions on the auspicious day of Ugadi or Gudi Padwa, as it is a powerful and beautiful day for doing so. I wish everyone a very happy Gudi Padwa. May this auspicious day bring solace, peace and harmony in everyone's life. I pray for normalcy this year.

— Kapilakshi Malhotra, yoga lover and actress

Hope for a future full of possibilities

For me, Gudi Padwa is always a happy occasion. It fills me with hope, since it marks the Maharashtrian New Year. It fills me with hope that the future is full of possibilities. I hope for the same this year too. Celebrations will be the same, a puja will happen, padwa will be put up and some sweets will be prepared. The celebration will be a sweet one with family. It’s personally more special to me because my parents got married on the day of Gudi Padwa.

— Isha Koppikar, actress, model and politician

A food fest

I have started celebrating Gudi Padwa only after coming to Mumbai. I just love how unfussy the whole affair is but still manages to bring everyone closer together. I love the simplicity of everything during this festival and the festive food made on this day is just lovely. My hopes for this year are relatively simple too. I just want to find better work and do my best to bring justice to everything I do.

— Ranjit Punia, Model and actor

Health and love

"Gudi Padwa is Hindu New Year and we celebrate it with family every year. It’s an auspicious day for us. I did griha pravesh (house warming ceremony) in my current home in Mumbai exactly 12 years ago on this day, and it’s always been a special day for me. The day has always brought prosperity and love in my life and this year is going to be no different. I don’t eat things containing sugar so there won’t be any sweets this time, but we plan on having special dishes and a healthy lunch filled with a lot of love

— Mugdha Godse, model and actress

Hope for normalcy and better days ahead

Gudi Padwa is one of my most favourite festivals. The whole ambience is one of calm and positive vibrations. We pray together and eat together as a family on this day. The best part of the celebration is of course the traditional delicacies. It’s so much fun when the whole family is relishing them together. My wish for Gudi this year is already halfway true — I wish for life to go back to normal after the rough couple of years we've had. Hope this New Year brings good times for everyone.

— Tina Ahuja, actress and daughter of Govinda