Gudi Padwa is considered as the beginning of the New Year by Maharashtrians. Apart from it being the New Year, there are other historical, scientific, religious and agricultural reasons as to why Gudi Padwa is celebrated. We caught up with a few Maharashtrian actors from the television industry and checked their knowledge about the festival. We were amazed as some of them knew every little detail about the day. To make it a little more interesting we also asked them what they would like to rename the festival to, if given the opportunity. We tried contacting most of the top actors of our television industry and here are the few.

Shivaji Satam (ACP Pradyuman of CID fame), a veteran and the baap of the small screen was very happy to share, " Gudi Padwa is a festival celebrated by Maharashtrians as New Year Day. It is also symbolized by the victory of Lord Rama over the Ravana. Apart from this,scientifically speaking, the sunlight on this day has rays which are helpful for keeping the human body strong. And if you ask me to rename this festival, I would not do it, as the festival has been named by our ancestors."

Yashashri Masurkar, our all-time favorite Khanak (Rang Badalti Odhani) excitedly says, "We, Maharashtrain people, celebrate Gudi Padwa as Gudi symbolizes Lord Rama's victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the Gudi. I love this festival as I have fond memories of my childhood of having Shrikhand Puri on this day. Therefore, I would like to rename this festival as Shrikhand Divas."

Rakesh Bapat

"As far as I know, I used to do many wacky things in my childhood while decorating the Gudi. It's a Maharashtrian New year and I guess not only religiously, but scientifically and historically there are many reasons why this day is celebrated. I still remember how my family and I used to decorate the Gudi and I used to draw a face on that Gudi. Therefore, I would call it Doll festival if not Gudi Padwa,"says RaQesh Vashisth (Maryaada Lekin Kab Tak?)cherishing his childhood memories.

Deepali Pansare of Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? says, "Gudi Padwa is the start of Chaitrapaksha and according to the Maharashtrian calendar, it's our New Year. On this day, the Gudi is positioned on the right side of the main entrance of the house. The right side symbolizes an active state of the soul. There are many reasons apart from this. Gudi Padwa is celebrated at the end of the Rabi season. And I would love to rename it as Goad (sweet) Padwa as we eat a lot of sweets on this day.

Swapnil Joshi recently tied the knot and this Gudi Padwa would be more auspicious for him. He shares, "As far as I know, Gudi Padwa is the start of the new calendar year for Maharastrians. One more thing that I would like to share is that Gudi Padwa is the day which is the birth of Mother Earth. Mythologically, it is the day when Lord Prajapati created the Universe and the clock started to tick from this day. And if I had to rename this festival, then I would call it Happy Goddhod day."

Still image of Jyoti

Sneha Wagh, who is busy with her Marathi reality show, managed to share, "Though I don't know all the reasons why Gudi Padwa is celebrated, apart from the fact that it's a New Year for Maharastrians, I would like to share something scientific about the festival. As the Gudi is raised on the right side of the house, few good rays which prevail in the atmosphere on the day gets absorbed by the Gudi and is eventually transferred into the house. I would not like to change the name Gudi Padwa as it has been called that since ages and I am no one to change it. But if you ask me,in a funny way, I would name it as Battasa Padwa (laughs).

Abhijeet Sawant 29

Though Abhijeet Sawant was busy preparing for his live show for Gudi Padwa, he fascinatingly answers, "It's our New Year. Though I don't know much about the day, I love the preparations at my place. With all kinds of sweets and delicacies, the atmosphere at my place changes. I would not like to change the name as I think we can't get a better name than Gudi Padwa.

Neha Janpandit had something more to share for the audience and she says, "As Gudi is symbolized as victory, I would like to rename the day as Vijay Padwa. Maharashtrians also see the Gudi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji. It also symbolizes the victory of King Shalivahana over Sakas and was hoisted by his people when he returned to Paithan.

Kudos to you celebrities, you have hordes of knowledge about the festival. On this note, Tellybuzz wishes its readers a Happy Gudi Padwa.

By Tejashree Bhopatkar