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As per the lunisolar calendar, there are many Hindu festivals that mark the New Year across India. In Maharashtra, people celebrate the onset of the new year with Gudi Padwa. This year, Gudi Padwa falls on Tuesday, 9th April 2024. In different states, the same day is celebrated with several festivals like Baisakhi, Vishu, Bihu, and so on.
However, the one thing that is common in all the festivals is the rich and delicious spirit. Indians across all states mark the year with great spirit and traditional dishes. For Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrians hoist their iconic Gudi flag, come together in vibrant colours, and fill the air with aromatic dishes. If you’re looking for traditional Gudi Padwa recipes, here are a few that Maharashtrians absolutely love.
Puran Poli
Without a doubt, Puran Poli is the star of Gudi Padwa, which is made in almost every Maharashtrian household. It is a sweet flatbread that has a rich filling of cooked chana dal (lentils) with jaggery and spices like cardamom and nutmeg. You can puran poli at home with kneaded wheat dough, rolled out in a circular shape, and stuffed with lentil filling.
Batata Bhaji
Batata Bhaji is another famous Maharashtrian speciality that is made with potatoes. To make it at home, you can boil some potatoes and cook them with chopped onions and tomatoes, along with your go-to spices. Once the potatoes are well-coated with masala, add some green chillies and ginger to add more flavour to it. You can pair it with puri and make a wholesome meal.
Sabudana Khichdi
Since many people observe a fast on Gudi Padwa, they eat foods made with sabudana (tapioca pearls). Sabudana khichdi is one of the many delicious dishes you can make with sabudana during Gudi Padwa. All you need to do is soak sabudana till they swell. Then, cook them with boiled potatoes, peanuts, and your favourite spices. You can garnish the khichdi with cilantro and a squeeze of lemon and enjoy it hot.
Shrikhand
Shrikhand is another famous dessert that is just perfect to make the beginning of a new year on Gudi Padwa. The yoghurt-based dessert can be made at home using strained yoghurt and sugar and spices like cardamom and saffron. The creamy mixture can then be mixed with some chopped dry fruits and nuts, and the mouth-melting dessert will be ready to savour.
Modak
Modak is a Maharashtra speciality. Since modak is considered to be Lord Ganesh’s favourite food, celebrating Gudi Padwa without the dessert will not be complete. You can make these sweet dumplings with kneaded rice flour dough and shape them into small cups. Then, fill the cups with a rich filling of coconut, jaggery, and cardamom. Seal the top and then steam the modak and relish the Maharashtrian dessert.
