Ugadi falls a few days after the festival of Holi (in the month of March according to the Gregorian calendar). Preparations for the festival are done much in advance. People begin to clean their houses and buy the items necessary for the celebrations.
Ulgadi
It
was the time when Lord Brahma had to start his work, the creation of this
world. And he chose the 'Ghaitra Suddha Padyami1 or what is known today as the
Ugadi day. Later, the great Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya proclaimed that
Ugadi is the beginning of the New Year (according to Telugu calendar). On this
day, there is a change in the moon's orbit. It is the onset of spring, which
also marks a beginning of new life. The plants that are barren till now acquire
new leaves and shoots. The meadows are full of colourful blossoms. All these
are symbols of growth, prosperity and well-being.
Ugadi
falls a few days after the festival of Holi (in the month of March according to
the Gregorian calendar). Preparations for the festival are done much in
advance. People begin to clean their houses and buy the items necessary for the
celebrations. Womenfolk gather the naturally perfumed jasmines (mallepulu) and
make large garlands, which they offer to Gods at homes and temples. Fresh raw
mangoes spread their aroma in the air. Neem trees are fully blossomed, making
the air healthy.
On
Ugadi day, oeople wake up very early before the sunrise. After taking bath,
they wear new clothes and decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh
mango leaves. Legend has it that Kartik or Subramanya or Kumara Swamy and
Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Shiva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes.
Therefore, people believe that tying green mango leaves to their doors would
bring in good crop and enhance prosperity.
After
the decoration is complete, women mop the ground in front of their house with
fresh cow dung mixed in water. They make beautiful designs on the ground with
colourful flowers. This is a common sight in every household. The whole family
then stands together to perform the ritualistic worship. They pray to God for
health, wealth, good education and success in business. Ugadi is considered the
most auspicious time to start new ventures. Ugadi is celebrated with festive fervor
in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. While it is called Ugadi in
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, in Maharashtra it is known as 'Gudi Padwa'.
People visit the local temples and perform group worships. They chant mantras
and make offerings of fruits and sweets to the deity. In the ancient times, a
ritual called 'panchanga sravanam1, which means 'listening to the yearly
calendar' was done at the temples on the Ugadi day. Following the tradition,
even today the learned people make predictions for the New Year on the occasion
of Ugadi, although it reaches us through the magazines and television.
After
the religious ceremony, comes the social merriment. Special dishes are prepared
for the occasion. 'Ugadi pachadi' is one such dish that has become synonymous
with Ugadi. It is a unique combination of sweet, sour and bitter tastes, made
of raw mango, neem flowers and tamarind. Jaggery made with fresh crop of
sugarcane, adds a renewed flavour to it.
In
Andhra Pradesh, women make 'pulihora' (tamarind rice). Cooked rice is mixed
with tamarind paste and garnished with groundnuts, grated coconut, fenugreek
seeds and chilli. 'Bobbatlu' is a preparation of raw mango, especially made for
this occasion. In Karnataka too, similar preparations called 'puliyogare' and
'holige' are made on the occasion of Ugadi. The Maharashtrians make 'puran poli'
or sweet chapatis. People in Andhra Pradesh make mango pickles with salt,
mustard powder, oil and powdered red chilli. This preparation is called
'avakai' and lasts for a whole year.
Evenings
are marked by community gatherings. There is a lot of excitement around. People
sing devotional songs (bhajans). A typical feature associated with Ugadi is
'Kavi Sammelan' (poetry recitation). It is a time when people look forward to a
literary feast. Many poets come up with new poems written on subjects ranging from
Ugadi to politics to modern trends and lifestyles and so on. It is a launch pad
for the talented budding poets. The program of poetry recitation is carried
live on the All India Radio as well as the National channel Doordarshan.
Ugadi
is a festival of many shades. It marks the beginning of the summer season,
which coincides with the school vacations. For the young ones, the festival of
Ugadi symbolizes new clothes, delicious food, and lots of fun and frolic. It
brings in enthusiasm and gaiety, and fills the hearts of people with joy and
contentment.
Festivals of India : Tag: Festivals of India : Festivals of India - Ulgadi