Gudi Padwa Gudi Padwa, which marks the beginning of the new year for Maharashtrians, was celebrated with much pomp and fanfare in the city on Monday. Men and women dressed in saffron turbans and navvari (nine-yard ) saris danced to the beats of the lezim , dhol and cymbals, while the streets were decorated with colourful rangolis. Gudi Padwa, also known as Ugadi, is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which, according to the Gregorian calendar would fall sometime at the end of March and the beginning of April. This festival is supposed to mark the beginning of 'Vasant' or spring. In the predominantly Marathi-speaking townships of Thane, Dombivli and Kalyan , the cultural carnival began on Sunday with the lighting of earthen lamps at Masunda Lake. The festivities were flagged off by Thane mayor, after garlanding the statue of Shivaji at Masunda lake. A palanquin of Lord Kopineswar was taken around the area with devotees shouti...