Thane, March 17: A mammoth 18,000 sq ft Rangoli was made in Maharashtra on Friday, ahead of the Marathi New Year – Gudi Padwa. The giant size Rangoli was made by around 70 artists in 9 hours at Gaondevi Maidan in Thane. This year Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on March 18. According to a report by Mumbai Mirror, a whopping 900 kgs of rangoli powder was used by artists to create this masterpiece.

People in Maharashtra celebrate the festival of Gudi Padwa with great fervour and enthusiasm. Rangoli's are made with intricate designs and patterns. Gudi Padwa- often referred to as Padwa falls on the first day of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunar calendar.

As per Hindu Lunisolar, Gudi Padwa is considered as the new year across the Konkan regions and entire Maharashtra. Konkani community refers to this as Samvatsara while in southern India, the same festival is celebrated as Ugadi. Grand preparations are being made all over Maharashtra. Among the most famous celebrations in Mumbai on this is the Gudi Padwa procession in Girgaum, where thousands of men, women and children walk, ride bikes and play the traditional drums while donning colourful outfits.

18,000 square feet long Rangoli made by 70 artists to mark Gudi Padwa: Watch Video - 

On this auspicious day, women wear the traditional Nauvari saree while men wear kurtas, dhotis and a turban. Devotees take a holy bath early morning and perform puja followed by rituals. It must be noted that Chaitra Navami starts from this day which leads to Ram Navami, celebrated to commemorate Lord Ram’s birthday on a ninth day. On this day, Maharashtrians make Sakkar Bhaat (sweet rice), Puran Poli, and Shrikhand and Puri while the Konkanis make Kanangachi Kheer, which is a sweet dish made of sweet potato, coconut milk, jaggery and rice.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 17, 2018 06:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).