Ulgadi

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.