The Hindu calendar starts with the month of Chaitra, the start of the spring season and in some places the harvesting season. The first day is celebrated as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Yugadi in Karnataka and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana.
In my city of Thane the celebration of Gudi Padwa is in many ways special. This year I finally got a chance to document it.
Drums lined up for the procession
A musician performs on the street
A flag bearer dances in the middle of a ring of smaller drums surrounded by the larger ones
Drummers in action
The drums start with the gong
Drummers in action
People dressed as Maratha warriors, rulers and saints
traditionally dressed musicians
Traditionally dressed women waiting for the music to begin
Ladies dressed in traditional ‘Nauvaris'(Nine yard sarees) dance to tunes old and new
Man with a gong
Dance of the drums
Young flag-bearers
From the white rabbit 