Gudi Padwa 2026: 10 Traditional Maharashtrian Dishes to Celebrate the Marathi New Year
Gudi Padwa 2026 marks the joyful beginning of the Marathi New Year and will be celebrated on March 19, 2026. The festival symbolises new beginnings, prosperity and the arrival of spring. Along with decorating homes and hoisting the traditional Gudi, food plays a central role in the celebrations. From sweet delicacies to savoury festive favourites, traditional Gudi Padwa dishes bring families together and add flavour to the auspicious day. Here are some of the most popular dishes that make the festive feast truly special.
Puran Poli : The Signature Sweet of Gudi Padwa
No Gudi Padwa celebration is complete without the iconic Puran Poli. This traditional sweet flatbread is stuffed with a rich filling made from boiled chana dal and jaggery. Flavoured with aromatic cardamom and nutmeg, the soft golden flatbread is usually served warm with a generous drizzle of ghee. Its rich taste and festive significance make it the highlight of the Marathi New Year meal.
Shrikhand : A Creamy Festive Dessert
Shrikhand is a classic Maharashtrian dessert loved for its silky texture and delicate flavour. It is made from hung curd that is blended with sugar and infused with saffron and cardamom. The chilled dessert is commonly paired with hot puris, creating a delightful combination of sweet, creamy and crisp flavours.
Katachi Amti: A Tangy and Spicy Lentil Curry
Katachi Amti is a thin and flavourful curry prepared using the leftover broth from boiling chana dal for Puran Poli. This clever recipe transforms simple ingredients into a spicy and tangy dish. Tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and spices, it perfectly balances the sweetness of other festive dishes.
Neem and Jaggery Prasad: The Symbolic First Bite
A mixture of bitter neem leaves and sweet jaggery is traditionally eaten at the start of the Gudi Padwa meal. This simple preparation holds deep meaning, symbolising the blend of happiness and challenges that life brings. Consuming it reminds people to welcome every experience in the coming year with balance and acceptance.
Batata Bhaji is a simple yet flavourful potato stir-fry that is commonly served during festive meals. Prepared with mustard seeds, turmeric, green chillies and fresh herbs, this bright yellow dish pairs perfectly with puris and Shrikhand. Its mild and comforting taste makes it a staple on the festive thali.
Kothimbir Vadi: Crispy Coriander Snack
Kothimbir Vadi is a popular Maharashtrian snack made from gram flour and fresh coriander leaves. The mixture is first steamed, then cut into pieces and lightly fried until crisp. Seasoned with sesame seeds and spices, these savoury bites offer a crunchy texture and rich flavour that complements the festive spread.
Sakhar Bhaat: Sweet and Fragrant Rice
Sakhar Bhaat is a sweet rice dish prepared with aromatic basmati rice, sugar and saffron. The dish is garnished with raisins and roasted cashews, giving it a delightful sweetness and texture. Its golden colour and fragrant aroma make it a festive favourite served during the main meal.
Alu Vadi: A Traditional Maharashtrian Snack
Alu Vadi is prepared using colocasia leaves layered with a spiced gram flour paste. The leaves are rolled, steamed and sliced into pinwheel-shaped pieces before being shallow-fried until crisp. The result is a snack with a perfect balance of earthy, spicy and tangy flavours.
Masala Bhaat : A Spiced Festive Rice Dish
Masala Bhaat is a flavourful vegetable rice dish that is commonly served during festive occasions in Maharashtra. Prepared with a special spice blend known as Goda Masala, the dish often includes vegetables like eggplant or ivy gourd. Topped with grated coconut, this aromatic rice dish adds depth and warmth to the celebratory meal.
Basundi : A Rich Milk Dessert
Basundi is a luxurious dessert made by slowly simmering milk until it thickens and becomes creamy. Sweetened with sugar and garnished with almonds, pistachios and saffron, this indulgent dish is often served chilled. Its rich taste makes it a perfect ending to the festive feast.
Celebrating Gudi Padwa with Traditional Flavours
Food is at the heart of Gudi Padwa celebrations, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of Maharashtra. From the sweetness of Puran Poli to the comforting flavours of Masala Bhaat and Batata Bhaji, each dish carries cultural significance and festive joy. Preparing these traditional Gudi Padwa dishes is a wonderful way to welcome the Marathi New Year with warmth, gratitude and delicious memories.
Puran Poli : The Signature Sweet of Gudi Padwa
No Gudi Padwa celebration is complete without the iconic Puran Poli. This traditional sweet flatbread is stuffed with a rich filling made from boiled chana dal and jaggery. Flavoured with aromatic cardamom and nutmeg, the soft golden flatbread is usually served warm with a generous drizzle of ghee. Its rich taste and festive significance make it the highlight of the Marathi New Year meal.
Shrikhand : A Creamy Festive Dessert
Shrikhand is a classic Maharashtrian dessert loved for its silky texture and delicate flavour. It is made from hung curd that is blended with sugar and infused with saffron and cardamom. The chilled dessert is commonly paired with hot puris, creating a delightful combination of sweet, creamy and crisp flavours.
Katachi Amti: A Tangy and Spicy Lentil Curry
Katachi Amti is a thin and flavourful curry prepared using the leftover broth from boiling chana dal for Puran Poli. This clever recipe transforms simple ingredients into a spicy and tangy dish. Tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves and spices, it perfectly balances the sweetness of other festive dishes.
Neem and Jaggery Prasad: The Symbolic First Bite
A mixture of bitter neem leaves and sweet jaggery is traditionally eaten at the start of the Gudi Padwa meal. This simple preparation holds deep meaning, symbolising the blend of happiness and challenges that life brings. Consuming it reminds people to welcome every experience in the coming year with balance and acceptance.
Batata Bhaji: A Comforting Potato Dish
Batata Bhaji is a simple yet flavourful potato stir-fry that is commonly served during festive meals. Prepared with mustard seeds, turmeric, green chillies and fresh herbs, this bright yellow dish pairs perfectly with puris and Shrikhand. Its mild and comforting taste makes it a staple on the festive thali.
Kothimbir Vadi: Crispy Coriander Snack
Kothimbir Vadi is a popular Maharashtrian snack made from gram flour and fresh coriander leaves. The mixture is first steamed, then cut into pieces and lightly fried until crisp. Seasoned with sesame seeds and spices, these savoury bites offer a crunchy texture and rich flavour that complements the festive spread.
Sakhar Bhaat: Sweet and Fragrant Rice
Sakhar Bhaat is a sweet rice dish prepared with aromatic basmati rice, sugar and saffron. The dish is garnished with raisins and roasted cashews, giving it a delightful sweetness and texture. Its golden colour and fragrant aroma make it a festive favourite served during the main meal.
Alu Vadi: A Traditional Maharashtrian Snack
Alu Vadi is prepared using colocasia leaves layered with a spiced gram flour paste. The leaves are rolled, steamed and sliced into pinwheel-shaped pieces before being shallow-fried until crisp. The result is a snack with a perfect balance of earthy, spicy and tangy flavours.
Masala Bhaat : A Spiced Festive Rice Dish
Masala Bhaat is a flavourful vegetable rice dish that is commonly served during festive occasions in Maharashtra. Prepared with a special spice blend known as Goda Masala, the dish often includes vegetables like eggplant or ivy gourd. Topped with grated coconut, this aromatic rice dish adds depth and warmth to the celebratory meal.
Basundi : A Rich Milk Dessert
Basundi is a luxurious dessert made by slowly simmering milk until it thickens and becomes creamy. Sweetened with sugar and garnished with almonds, pistachios and saffron, this indulgent dish is often served chilled. Its rich taste makes it a perfect ending to the festive feast.
Celebrating Gudi Padwa with Traditional Flavours
Food is at the heart of Gudi Padwa celebrations, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of Maharashtra. From the sweetness of Puran Poli to the comforting flavours of Masala Bhaat and Batata Bhaji, each dish carries cultural significance and festive joy. Preparing these traditional Gudi Padwa dishes is a wonderful way to welcome the Marathi New Year with warmth, gratitude and delicious memories.
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