Ugadi |
March Month is the beginning of the Telugu new year (Ugadi). What is the first season (rithu) of the year? It is the season of spring (vasantha-rithu). What is the most important month in the year? It is chairtra masa (the first month of the year). The bright fortnight (sukla paksha) is the better part of the month. Among the days, the first day of the lunar month is important. As all these important elements are present this day, it has special significance as marking the commencement of a new year (described as Ugadi)
A Hindu Girl With Ugadi juice or pachasi |
Preparations for the festival begin almost a week ahead.
Houses are cleaned. Shopping to buy new clothes and other items add to a lot of excitement. The Ugadi rituals On Ugadi, people wake up before the break of dawn and have a head bath. The entrances of their house are decorated with fresh mango leaves. According to the legend, Kartik asked people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway. It signifies a good crop and general well being. On this day, it is the practice among the rural folk to eat
what is called "Ugadi Pacchadi (Ugadi Chutney). This Chutney is made from neem flowers, mango juice, honey sugar and other ingredients with different tastes. The inner significance of this preparation is to indicate that life is a mixture of good and bad, joy and sorrow and all of them have to be treated alike. All experiences have to be treated with equanimity. Every one should make a resolve that he will face calmly whatever happens in this year, accepting it with good grace. Welcome everything. Consider everything as for one’s own good. Men should rise above sorrow and happiness, success and failure. This is the primary message of the Ugadi festival.
Click: UGADI RECIPES