Gudi Padav

Gudi Padav is celebrated to welcome the Hindu New Year. This festival falls around April and is observed universally among the Goan Hindus. It marks an auspicious beginning for any venture and is believed to bring forth peace at home and in the work place. On the day of Gudi Padav, the household members take a refreshing oil bath and wear new clothes and worship with 'aaratis' before the family altar. In north Goa, it is celebrated with the garlanding and worship of a bamboo staff wrapped around with a colored silk scarf and a bright copper goblet topped with mango leaves, which is erected close to the main entrance to the house.