In India, Gudi Padwa is celebrated by people to mark the first day of the Hindu luni-solar calendar. Not just by Maharashtrians and Konkanis, this day is also celebrated as new year by people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as Ugadi. This festival marks the beginning of spring and harvest season. On this day devotees take a holy bath with oil as it is believed that it purifies the mind and soul and only then offer their prayers. After the oil-bath, they also consume neem leaves as it is part of the tradition. It is believed that consuming the bitter leaves purifies the blood and increases one's immunity against diseases. Chaitra Navaratri is also observed for nine days starting from the first day of the luni-solar calendar.
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