The auspicious day is celebrated by putting up a `gudi' made by tying a red silk cloth, tender neem leaves and `gaathi' made of sugar candy to a bamboo with a silver container placed on the tip. The day starts with families consuming a mixture of neem leaves, jaggery and coriander seeds first thing in the morning. This teaches people to accept the bad and the good times with equanimity. Neem, with its medicinal properties, is also helpful in warding off summer ills.

A statement issued by Pandit Vasant Gadgil of Sharada Dnyanapeetham has urged people to put up the `gudi' after 9.30 am on Sunday as the `amavasya' (new moon day) ends at 9.25 am and the month of Chaitra starts after that. "The `gudi' should be dismantled before 7 pm." he stated.

Meanwhile, city-based Girme farm will be distributing about 500 saplings of neem (azadiaracta Indica) and hibiscus at the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati temple from 9.30 am onwards. The initiative has been undertaken to underline the importance of neem trees and to help its plantation.