Gudi Padwa 2023 | Gudi Padwa Food Recipes

According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Gudi Padwa Festival marks the beginning of the New Year. This is for the people of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Goa. Also, for union territories like Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It is also a harvest festival and falls on March 22 in 2023. It is also one of the most important festivals for Maharashtrians. Just like food is an integral part of any celebration in India, same goes for Gudi Padwa too. So, here’s a signature compilation of 30 Gudi Padwa Food Recipes that can be easily made at home.

vector photo signifying and symbolizing gudi padwa festival.

About Gudi Padwa Festival

Like I said, Gudi Padwa Festival is the New Year for Maharashtrians and the people of some other states. In Andhra Pradesh, this new year festival is known as Ugadi. For the Kannada Hindus of Karnataka, this day is Yugadi and for the Sindhi community, it is Cheti Chand.

Other states have it as:

  • Poila Boishakh – West Bengal
  • Bihu – Assam
  • Navreh – for Kashmiri Pandits of Jammu and Kashmir
  • Baisakhi – Punjab
  • Vishu – Kerala
  • Puthandu – Tamil Nadu

The dates may differ for each, but the essence of each of these remains the same. That is, it is the New Year for people of these regions.

Basically, the first day of the bright stage of the moon is also referred to as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and ‘padvo’ in Konkani language.

The festivities of the Gudi Padwa Festival include cleaning of houses and plastering them with fresh cow-dung, especially in the villages. The city people involve in dusting and cleaning their homes.

Other traditions include making of elegant and colorful rangolis at entrances and doorways, which is synonymous with the colors of spring.

People also put up the ‘gudhi or gudi’ in their homes, dress up in new clothes, purchase gold or precious gems, feast on delicious Gudi Padwa Food and participate in other family gatherings.

Just like the Ugadi Pachadi, a similar dish is prepared on the auspicious occasion of the Gudi Padwa too. This is one of those very traditional Gudi Padwa recipes which has the sweet and bitter flavors from the jaggery (gur or gul) and neem leaves respectively.

Significance of Gudi Padwa Festival

The arrival of spring and harvesting of Rabi crops is what the significance of Gudi Padwa Festival is, in simple terms. As I mentioned before, a very important and significant feature of this festival is the ‘gudi or gudhi,’ that is a common sight at homes during this festival.

What is a gudi? Gudi is primarily an arrangement that is made up of a long bamboo, at the top end of which, a vibrant colorful silk cloth piece is tied.

Some mango or neem leaves together with a garland of flowers (usually marigold) are attached on the top. This is eventually enclosed with a metal kalash (pot, usually made of bronze, copper or silver) and hoisted outside homes.

This entire arrangement of a gudi basically signifies the conquest and win of King Shalivahana. In his honor, it was hoisted on his return to Paithan, a town in Aurangabad in Maharashtra. This gudi is also believed to ward off evils and bring happiness and good fortune in the house.

Also, before you head to the collection of Gudi Padwa Special Food recipes, read on to know some more legends that are associated with the festival of Gudi Padwa:  

  • In addition to King Shalivahana, the festival also commemorates the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who is also believed to be the inceptor of this festival through his victory march.
  • According to a common folklore, Gudi Padwa was the day when Lord Brahma established days, weeks, months, years and created the universe.
  • Another belief is that the day of Gudi Padwa signifies Lord Rama’s win and victory over evil by defeating the demon king Ravana. It was also on this day that he returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Gudi Padwa Food

Along with the typical bitter-sweet prasad (symbolizing the journey of life with ups and downs) prepared on this day, families prepare other sumptuous Gudi Padwa Special Food and relish them with their loved ones.

Some of the most popular dishes in the feast are the puran poli and shrikhand. I have also mentioned about these recipes in my curated list of Gudi Padwa Food recipes below.

Here, in this list of dishes for Gudi Padwa Festival, I have shared recipes that you can easily make on this day. I have divided the list into classic and unique sweets/desserts, snacks and savories, mains and beverages.

Some of these recipes may have garlic and onion in them. You can skip these, if making a satvik meal or if offering the food to your deities.

Here’s wishing all my readers a happy and prosperous Gudi Padwa!

30 Gudi Padwa Recipes

Below are some of the Maharashtrian and some more Indian recipes that make up for a festive treat during the festival of Gudi Padwa. Like I said, these Gudi Padwa Food recipes can easily be prepared at home.

Many of the recipes for Gudi Padwa are hassle-free, easy to make, yet delectable. For some, you might have to put in extra efforts. This list consists of some traditional as well as not so classic recipes under different categories.

Gudi Padwa Sweets

puran poli folded and served on a green color plate.
Moderate 2 hours

Puran Poli Recipe

Puran Poli is a sweet flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil filling made from hulled and spilt bengal gram/chana dal, jaggery and ground spices. This traditional recipe is from the Maharashtrian cuisine.
top shot of shrikhand with chopped pistachios on a dark green serving tray
Easy 15 minutes

Shrikhand Recipe (2 Ways)

Shrikhand is a delicious and simple dessert recipe made with thick yogurt flavored with sugar, saffron and cardamom. Get two ways of making shrikhand recipe with hung curd as well as greek yogurt.
modak arranged beautifully on a bright green plate.
Moderate 1 hour 30 minutes

Modak Recipe (Ukadiche Modak) – With Mould & Without It

Modak or Ukadiche Modak is a traditional Maharashtrian sweet of steamed, stuffed rice flour dumplings filled with a coconut and jaggery filling and are offered to Bhagwan Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
suji halwa recipe
Moderate 15 minutes

Suji ka Halwa Recipe (Sheera Recipe)

Suji ka halwa or Sheera is a classic Indian semolina pudding made with sugar, ghee and dry fruits. The recipe I have shared is a family heirloom recipe. We have been making this suji halwa recipe for decades during family get togethers, special occasions & festivals. The sooji halwa recipe can be easily halved, doubled or tripled.
rava ladoo in a circle with lit earthern lamp in center on a bronze plate
Moderate 30 minutes

Rava Laddu Recipe (Suji Ke Laddu)

An easy peasy method to make Rava Laddu for Diwali or any festival. This Rava Ladoo also known as Suji ke Laddu are sweet balls made with rava (sooji or semolina), coconut, powdered sugar, dry fruits, nuts and ghee.
closeup shot of brass spoon filled with basundi on top of a brass bowl with basundi
Moderate 25 minutes

Basundi Recipe | Basundi Sweet

Basundi is a flavored, thickened and sweetened milk made with whole milk, sugar, fragrant spices and nuts. It is a popular sweet made in the western parts of India. This basundi recipe is a quicker version made with sweetened condensed milk and comes together under 25 minutes.
coconut burfi slices on a white platter with a rakhi in the background.
Moderate 1 hour 25 minutes

Coconut Burfi | Nariyal ki Barfi

This Coconut Burfi is a delish, melt in the mouth fudge made with sweetened condensed milk, milk, and desiccated coconut. 
closeup shot of fried modak in a round bamboo bowl with a dark pink flower inside
Moderate 1 hour

Fried Modak

Fried modak is a delicious and popular modak variety made during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and offered to Bhagwan Ganesha. This recipe has the crust made of whole wheat flour with a sweet stuffing.
mango modaks placed over a turmeric leaf kept on a plate.
Moderate 30 minutes

Mango Modak

Mango Modak is a delicious variant of modak prepared with fresh sweet mango pulp and khoya/mawa (evaporated milk solids).
five karanji pieces on a white plate on a cream doily
Moderate 1 hour 20 minutes

Karanji Recipe (Authentic)

Karanji is a crisp, flaky, fried, moon-shaped pastry stuffed with a sweet filling of desiccated coconut, nuts and dry fruits. It is also one of the sweet snack that is made during Diwali festival.
sabudana kheer recipe
Moderate 35 minutes

Sabudana Kheer | How to make Sabudana Kheer

Sabudana Kheer is a sweet, creamy pudding made with tapioca pearls or sago pearls (called sabudana in Hindi), milk, sugar, nuts and flavored with cardamom & saffron. Sabudana Kheer is also a popular pick as fasting food during the Hindu Navratri festival. It is simple and easy to make, and tastes absolutely delicious.
puran poli recipe
Moderate 1 hour 30 minutes

Bobbatlu Recipe | Obbattu Recipe | Holige Recipe

Bobbatlu also called Holige or Obbattu is a South Indian festive treat of sweetened flat breads. These flat breads are stuffed with cooked and finely ground mixture of chana dal, jaggery, cardamom powder and ground nutmeg. This Bobbatlu Recipe makes for one of the best Bobbatlu made with a sweet chana dal stuffing. 

Snacks & Savories

kothimbir vadi served on a white plate with a small bowl of chutney on the side.
Moderate 35 minutes

Kothimbir Vadi

Kothimbir vadi is a delicious savory crisp snack from the Maharashtrian cuisine made with gram flour (besan), coriander leaves, peanut, sesame seeds and spices. They are a popular tea time snack loaded with coriander leaves (cilantro).
top closeup shot of shankarpali filled in wooden bowl
Moderate 1 hour

Shankarpali Recipe

Sweet shankarpali are crisp, flaky, melt in the mouth fried and baked biscuits. Shankarpali is a popular festive snack from Maharashtra.
chakli kept on a white plate on a green background
Moderate 1 hour 15 minutes

Chakli Recipe

Chakli is a deep-fried snack made from rice flour, gram flour, wheat flour or a mixture of lentil flours. Make this crispy and crunchy snack for Diwali festival. 
bhakarwadi recipe, bakarwadi recipe, how to make bhakarwadi or bakarwadi
55 minutes

Bhakarwadi

Bhakarwadi is one of the popular snack from western India. Bhakarwadi are fried and crisp pinwheels or spirals. They are addictive and have a sweet, spicy and tangy taste.
batata vada served on a white plate with fried green chilies kept on the left side.
Moderate 45 minutes

Batata Vada Recipe | Maharashtrian Style Aloo Vada

Batata vada is a fried snack of batter-coated potato stuffed fritter dumplings. Making these take some time but absolutely worth it. I share this lip smacking delicious recipe of Maharashtrian style batata vada that you will love.
closeup shot of a stack of sabudana vada on top of each other in a white plate with red chilli sauce in a white bowl
Moderate 5 hours 30 minutes

Sabudana Vada Recipe (Traditional Fasting Recipe)

Sabudana Vada is a popular savory deep fried snack made during Hindu fasting days, featuring tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts and herbs. They are naturally gluten-free and vegan. This fool proof sabudana vada recipe gives you a super delicious crispy vada with a soft and light interior.
sabudana khichdi
Moderate 25 minutes

Perfect Sabudana Khichdi Recipe (For Fasting Or Vrat)

Sabudana ki khichdi is a delicious dish of tapioca pearls (sago) made with potatoes, peanuts, a few spices and usually had during Hindu fasting days like Navratri, Ekadashi, Mahashivratri. It is also a gluten-free recipe. Make the best non-sticky Sabudana Khichdi with this recipe.
alu vadi recipe, patra recipe
Moderate 37 minutes

Alu Vadi | Pathrode Recipe | Patra Recipe

Alu Vadi also known as Patra or Pathrode is a delicious dish of colocasia or taro root leaves smeared with a spiced, sweet and tangy gram flour paste and steamed to be tempered later.

Main Course

masale bhaat recipe
Moderate 1 hour 5 minutes

Masale Bhat Recipe | Maharashtrian Masala Bhat

Masala bhat is a tasty, spicy and aromatic one-pot traditional rice recipe made with various mix vegetables, spices, herbs, nuts and coconut from the Maharashtrian cuisine.
poori bhaji
Moderate 40 minutes

Puri Bhaji | Batata Bhaji

This is a warm, lightly spiced potato dish called Batata Bhaji with hints of coriander, ginger and other Indian spices. This semi-dry potato preparation is served with the fried Indian bread called poori (or puri) and thus called Puri Bhaji.
varan bhaat
Easy 1 hour

Varan Bhaat (Maharashtrian Varan Bhaat Recipe)

Maharashtrian varan bhaat recipe – delicious lentil stew or dal made with pigeon pea lentils and served with rice.
katachi amti
35 minutes

katachi amti

Katachi Amti Recipe is a thin spicy dal made from the strained stock of cooked chana dal/bengal gram. It is usually served with puran poli but also can be served with steamed rice.
usal recipe
Moderate 1 hour

Usal Recipe | Maharashtrian Malvani Usal

Usal is a Maharashtrian curried dish made with legumes/sprouted legumes or mixed sprouted beans and is had with pav (dinner rolls), chapati or rice. This Usal recipe comes from the Konkan region of the Maharashtra state in India.

Beverages

close up shot of masala chaas or chaas filled in a glass with a few cilantro sprigs
Easy 10 minutes

Chaas Recipe (Mattha Recipe)

The classic Chaas (Chaach/Mattha) also known as the Indian version of buttermilk is a refreshingly cooling summer drink made with creamy yogurt and seasonings. It is an excellent body cooler, digestive and appetizer. Find two easy chaas recipes – Masala Chaas and Pudina Chaas.
three clear glasses of kokum kadhi on a pink napkin.
Easy 40 minutes

Solkadhi Recipe | Solkadi (Kokum Curry)

Solkadhi (also known as solkadi, sol kadhi, kokum kadhi or kokum curry) is a cooling drink best had during hot summers. This mauve-hued, tart digestive beverage from the Goan cuisine is easy to make.
piyush recipe
Easy 5 minutes

Piyush Drink | Piyush Recipe

Piyush recipe is a thick, creamy sweet beverage made with shrikhand, yogurt and milk. Summer cooling drink.
masala milk recipe, masala doodh recipe
Moderate 15 minutes

Masala Milk | Masala Doodh

Masala milk is sweetened flavored milk beverage from the Maharashtrian cuisine. A mix of nuts and a few spices are added which makes the masala doodh aromatic as well as delicious
aam panna in glass on a green table.
Moderate 20 minutes

Aam Panna Recipe – With Boiled and Roasted Mangoes

Aam ka panna is a cooling Indian summer drink made with unripe green tart mangoes. It is slightly sour and sweet to taste and is flavored with cardamom, cumin and black salt. This recipe post shows the method of making both aam panna syrup concentrate and the drink using the method of boiling as well as roasting mangoes. 

This Gudi Padwa Food recipes post for Gudi Padwa 2023 is from the archives first published on March 2017 has been updated and republished on March 2023.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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