Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year

31^st March 2014 – Our state of Maharashtra celebrated the festival of Gudi Padwa. 

Gudi Padwa falls on the first day of the Chaitra month to mark the beginning of the New Year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar.

India being a predominantly agrarian society, celebrations and festivals are often linked to the turn of the season and to the sowing and reaping of crops. This day marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one.

On this day, the sun assumes a position above the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians. According to the Hindu calendar, this marks the commencement of the Vasanta ritu or the spring season.

On Gudi Padwa, a gudi is found sticking out of a window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households. Bright green or yellow cloth adorned with zari (brocade) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gaathi (sugar crystals), neem (margosa) leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. Altogether, it is called as Gudi. It is hoisted outside the house, in a window, terrace or a high place so that everybody can see it.

My husband Joe took these photos before the parade could begin.

If you’d like to see more pictures go here

Puran Poli - Indian flatbread with a stuffing of lentil cooked with Jaggery.  These are made for Gudi Padwa and for special days.

  

Thanks for tuning in.

 Lena

Christmas 2013 Notepads

Welcome! I trust you had a fabulous Thanksgiving.

I hope at least a few people remember me.  It’s been such a long time since I posted anything and I wonder if anyone checks for updates from my blog anymore.

I had been extremely busy making plans and then travelling (part of my wishlist) that I haven’t been able to post any projects to my blog in two months and several months before the last post in September too.  To top it all my laptop has been hiccuping ! I need to write an update on what I’ve been doing, as well as post some photos of my visits abroad. 

But in the meantime, here are some notepads which I created for my ex boss at her request - very simply put together using Papermania design sheets, borders & punch cuts and scraps from old Christmas cards.  The plain red and green background paper is from a craft store in Mumbai that sells handmade paper.

The colours are really bright but my images look hazy - can't figure out why.  

I love these British mail boxes

 a detachable bookmark in the pocket.  The vintage child image is from a chocolate wrapping.

snowflakes from my small collection of snowflake punches interspersed with tiny, star stickers.

The snowman is punch cut and assembled. I coloured in the edges of my image with watercolour pencils and then ran my brush over it to give it a soft effect. 

another little pocket and tag partially pinned down by the embossed poinsettia.

this one has lots of glitter but my photo image is rather poor.

Thank you for visiting me and leaving such nice comments. I read your blogs and stare at your creations intending to leave comments and them somehow time runs away from me. I apologize for that.  Lately it seems the hours in a day are just not long.   I will try and be better!

My home in Mumbai is currently under much needed renovation and that means I won’t be able to create or maybe even just work at any craft in the weeks to come.  We hope to finish at least a week before Christmas Eve.

I envy all of you  and your awesome creations.  I could never even strive to match your work.

Wishing you Season's Greetings and happy crafting !

Lena