Ugadi

Ugadi – Meaning:

According to Hindu Mythology, the sixty Telugu Nama Samvastharas are being repeated from time to time. It is believed that the creator of the Hindu pantheon Lord Brahma started creation on this day - Chaitra suddha padhyami or the Ugadi day. Also the great Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya's calculations proclaimed the Ugadi day from the sunrise on as the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day. The onset of spring also marks a beginning of new life with plants (barren until now) acquiring new life, shoots and leaves. Spring is considered the first season of the year hence also heralding a new year and a new beginning. The vibrancy of life and verdant fields, meadows full of colorful blossoms signifies growth, prosperity and well-being.

‘Ugadi’ as the name ‘Yug-Adi’ suggests is celebrated on the first day of the first month of Telugu Year i.e. Chaitram. This day is celebrated as Telugu New Year Day.

Ugadi Pachchadi:

This day is known for its 'Ugadi Pacchadi' preparation comprising of six tastes (shadruchi sammelan), each standing for a special character a man experiences in life. The ingredients of this preparation, though of different tastes or characters when mixed in definite proportions result in a delicious dish. The underlying idea conveys that the six faces of life mentioned underneath, should be handled by man and balanced in such a way as to make his life a beautiful one on earth.

Jaggery               Sweet     Indicates Happiness
Salt             Salty       Indicate “taste” in life.
Neem flowers   Bitter      Sad endings
Tamarind            Sour        Challenging moments
Raw Mango        Pieces     Sour    New challenges
Chilly powder     Hot   Anger causing moments

Prasadam is to be taken with an empty stomach as to have a balanced life all through the year

Preparing For Ugadi Occasion:

Preparations for the festival begin a week ahead. Houses are given a thorough wash. Shopping for new clothes and buying other items that go with the requirements of the festival are done with a lot of excitement.

On Ugadi, people wake up before the break of dawn and take a head bath after which they decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves. The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Subramanya or Kumara Swami and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes. As the legend goes Kartik exhorted people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway signifying a good crop and general well-being.

People also splash fresh cow dung water on the ground in front of their house and draw colorful floral designs. People perform the ritualistic worship to God invoking his blessings before they start off with the New Year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. Ugadi is also the most auspicious time to start new ventures.

Special dishes are prepared for the occasion. Eatables such as "pulihora", "bobbatlu" and preparations made with raw mango are made in every Andhra household on the occasion .

Ugadi - Panchanga Sravanam:

This auspicious day is also known for its "Panchanga Sravanam" chanted by Veda Pundits. Panchaanga contains astronomical data relating to the position of the Sun, The Moon, Planets, Stars and details of Eclipses, Occultation, Rashi results, Muhurtams etc. for one complete year (usually from April to March).

It is a customary practice to attend the temple in the evening of this day where a Siddhanthi (Pundit) recites Panchanga Sravanam. The yearly fore cast for the country as a whole, different places and people basing on Rashis will be predicted. It is believed that listening to Panchanga Sravanam does good to the people.

Ugadi - Kavi Sammelanam:

Kavi Sammelanam (poetry recitation) is a typical Telugu Ugadi feature. Ugadi is also a time when people look forward to a literary feast in the form of Kavi Sammelanam. Many poets come up with new poems written on subjects ranging - from Ugadi - to politics to modern trends and lifestyles.

Ugadi is thus a festival of many shades. It ushers in the New Year, brings a rich bounce of flora and fills the hearts of people with joy and contentment.

Ugadi - Season For Pickels :

With the raw mango available in abundance only during the two months (of April/May), people make good use of mangoes to last them until the next season. They pickle the mangoes with salt, powdered mustard and powdered dry red chilli and a lot of oil to float over the mangoes. This preparation is called "aavakai" and lasts for a whole year.

Mangoes and summer season go hand in hand. Ugadi thus marks the beginning of the hot season which coincides with the school vacations. For the young ones, therefore, Ugadi is characterized by new clothes, sumptuous food and reveling. The air is filled with joy, enthusiasm and gaiety. Some people participate in social community gatherings and enjoy a tranquil evening with devotional songs (bhajans).

Sarve Janaa Sukhina Bhavanthu

Ugadi

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Telugu Year Names

Ugadi