Gudi Padwa 2027 falls on Wednesday, 7 April 2027, and in Dubai the Pratipada tithi runs from 3:50 AM on 7 April to 2:58 AM on 8 April. Because the tithi is already running at sunrise, the gudi is raised on the morning of 7 April. It is the Marathi new year and the start of Marathi Shaka Samvata 1949.
Every time on this page is Gulf Standard Time for Dubai, and it holds for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman within a few minutes. Indian panchang apps show times about an hour and a half later on the clock, so use the UAE figures here when you plan your morning.
Gudi Padwa 2027 at a glance
- Date: Wednesday, 7 April 2027
- Pratipada tithi begins (Dubai): 3:50 AM, 7 April 2027
- Pratipada tithi ends (Dubai): 2:58 AM, 8 April 2027
- New year: Marathi Shaka Samvata 1949 begins
- Same day: Ugadi and the first day of Chaitra Navratri
Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Chaitra Navratri with Dubai timings, saved to your own calendar.
What is Gudi Padwa?
Gudi Padwa is the Marathi new year, kept on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra. The word gudi means flag or banner, and padwa comes from Pratipada. A decorated gudi is raised at the home to welcome the new year.
Tradition links the day to Lord Brahma beginning creation, and many families also remember it as the day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. People of Ayodhya are said to have raised banners of victory to welcome him, which is why the gudi stands for triumph and a good beginning.
How to make and raise the gudi
The gudi is simple to put together and the same pieces are used in most Marathi homes. Raise it in the morning of 7 April, after the tithi has begun at 3:50 AM and ideally soon after sunrise.
- Take a long bamboo stick and tie a bright silk or zari cloth, often in yellow, saffron or green, near the top.
- Add a few neem leaves, a sprig of mango leaves and a garland of marigold or other flowers.
- Tie a string of sugar crystals (gathi) to the stick.
- Place a silver or copper pot (kalash) upside down on top, and apply tilak of chandan and kumkum.
- Raise it on the right side of the main door or at a balcony or window, and do a short puja with a lamp, agarbatti and flowers.
- Take it down at sunset after a final prayer.
Your family tradition always comes first. If you live in an apartment, a small gudi on a short stick inside a window or balcony corner is a widely used alternative.
Gudi Padwa food and customs
The day starts with an oil bath and new clothes. A small mix of neem leaves, jaggery and tamarind is eaten first, as a reminder to accept both bitter and sweet in the year to come. Rangoli at the door and a toran of mango leaves finish the welcome.
The festive meal usually includes puran poli, shrikhand, and sweet dishes offered as naivedyam before the family eats. Many families also start new ventures on this day, or buy gold, a vehicle or a home, as it is regarded as an auspicious beginning.
What you need
- A bamboo stick, silk cloth, sugar crystal garland and a small pot for the gudi
- A pooja thali, a lamp, camphor and agarbatti
- Chandan and kumkum for the tilak
- Neem leaves, mango leaves and fresh flowers
- Ingredients for puran poli or shrikhand
Pooja essentials are in our Pooja Samagri range, and the daily pooja collection covers lamps and plates.
The Gudi Padwa essentials
Thali, tilak and camphor - the three things you will reach for first.
Gudi Padwa, Ugadi and Chaitra Navratri
In 2027 all three share one date. The same Pratipada tithi is Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Ugadi in the Telugu and Kannada traditions, and the day Chaitra Navratri begins. Our Ugadi guide covers the southern customs, and the Chaitra Navratri guide and Navratri guide cover the nine days.
Gudi Padwa in the UAE
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman have a large Marathi community, and Gudi Padwa is one of its biggest days. Many Marathi associations hold a gathering around the festival, so ask your local group for its plans.
Wednesday is a working day. The tithi starts at 3:50 AM, so you can raise the gudi and do a short puja before leaving for work, and keep the festive meal for the evening. Taking the gudi down at sunset suits a working day well.
Gudi in an apartment. Check your building rules before fixing anything outside the door. A small gudi on a balcony railing or at a window is a common choice, and the toran and rangoli can stay at your own door.
Ingredients. Neem leaves, mango leaves, flowers and sugar crystals are usually available at Indian grocery stores across the Emirates. For temple timings and locations, see our guide to Hindu temples in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
When is Gudi Padwa 2027 in the UAE?
Wednesday, 7 April 2027. The Pratipada tithi runs from 3:50 AM on 7 April to 2:58 AM on 8 April in Dubai, so the gudi is raised on the morning of 7 April.
What does Gudi Padwa mean?
Gudi means flag or banner and padwa comes from Pratipada, the first lunar day. Together they mean the banner raised on the first day of the new year.
Which new year begins on Gudi Padwa 2027?
Marathi Shaka Samvata 1949 begins on 7 April 2027.
What goes into a gudi?
A bamboo stick, a silk or zari cloth, neem and mango leaves, a flower garland, a string of sugar crystals and an upturned silver or copper pot on top.
Is Gudi Padwa the same day as Ugadi?
Yes, in 2027 both fall on Wednesday, 7 April. They mark the same Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, and the first day of Chaitra Navratri begins on it as well.
Do the Dubai timings differ from Indian panchang timings?
Yes. Tithi timings are calculated against local sunrise, and Gulf Standard Time is an hour and a half behind India. A time taken from an Indian listing will not match the UAE window, so use the Dubai figures given here.
Do the timings change for Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ajman?
Only by a few minutes. The Dubai figure is the one to follow across the UAE.
Can I raise a gudi in a UAE apartment?
Yes. Use a short stick at a balcony or window, check your building rules first, and keep the rest of the celebration inside the home.
Plan the rest of your festival year with the Divine Sansar Hindu Calendar, which lists UAE timings for every major festival. Wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous new year.
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