Hoisting the Gudhi: The Gudhi [also called Lord Brahma's flag (Brahmadhvaj)] is hoisted in every house as a symbolic representation of Lord Rama's victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudhi (flag).

   A bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) is tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gathi (a type of sweet), leaves of neem (a tree found in India and bears bitter leaves), a twig of the mango tree and a garland of red flowers is tied. This is then hoisted by placing a silver or copper pot placed in the inverted position over it. Beautiful designs with special powder of soft, white stone (rangolis) are drawn on the floor in front of it. Everyone eagerly waits to usher in the New Year. Then uttering, ‘I offer obeisance to the flag of Lord Brahma’, one should ritualistically worship the gudhi with a resolve. Since Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, this flag is called ‘the flag of Brahma’ (Brahmadhvaj) in the scriptures. Some also refer to it as ‘the flag of Lord Indra’ (Indradhvaj).

Listening to the religious almanac (panchang shravan): One should ritualistically worship the astrologer or priest and listen to the benefits (as narrated by him) in the coming year. The benefits of listening to the discourse on auspicious dates (tithis) one acquires money (Lakshmi), by that day of the week-longevity; by that of lunar asterisms-nullification of sins: by that of the constellation-cure of disease and success in whatever one plans by listening to its narration. Listening to the religious almanac daily endows the merit of equivalent to bathing in the holy Ganga.

Distributing the sacrament (prasad) of neem: Since neem has the highest ability to absorb prajapati frequencies, on this day it is partaken of as a sacrament (prasad). One should distribute this offering prepared by mixing together tender leaves and flowers of neem, soaked split gram lentil (dal) or soaked gram, honey, cumin seeds and a little of asafetida while chanting of a mantra.

    The following table gives the ability of certain substances to absorb frequencies. From this one will know why neem is partaken on the Hindu New Year and why milk, curd, clarified butter (ghee) and sugar are avoided in the month of Chaitra.

Ploughing the soil: On this day farmers should start ploughing the soil. Doing so facilitates the charging of the subtle soil particles with prajapati frequencies and its abilities to germinate seeds increase manifold. Consecrated rice (akshata) should be sprinkled on the instruments used in farming and on the oxen admist chanting of the mantra, which generated prajapati frequencies. Laborers working in the fields should be gifted new clothes. The meal given to laborers and oxen on that day should comprise of ripe pumpkin, lentil (mug dal) rice, puran (gram lentil [dal] cooked till soft and ground to a paste with jaggery).

Donation: The needy should be given all kinds of offerings including that of money, food, water to thirsty travelers, etc. This appeases the souls of ancestors, reducing negative energy trouble from unsatisfied ancestors' souls.

Doing things that bring (sattvik) happiness: One should spend this day happily, listening to auspicious songs, musical instruments and stories of holy men. This sets the tone for a happy year ahead.

Sending greeting cards: One should send New Year greeting cards on this day, as it is the ideal beginning of the year.

    We pray to The Lord for His grace in ushering the New Year with a spiritually beneficial and devotional celebration of GudhiPadva. To spend every day of the year with the same amount of Bliss as on Gudhipadva one should chant* the Name of the Lord as often as one can. All saints have recommended that the spiritual practice of chanting of the Name of the Lord to be the spiritual practice which is most beneficial in Kaliyug. On this day of Gudhipadva let us make a solemn resolve to spend every moment we can to chant His holy Name.

*Repeating The Lord's Name as per one's religion

For further details on Gudhipadva and the celebration of religious festivals, refer to  Vol. 10: Holy Festivals, Religious Festivals and Vowed Religious Observances, compiled by H. H. Dr. Jayant B. Athavale and Dr. Mrs. Kunda Athavale, published by the Sanatan.]