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Ugadi

The festival of Ugadi marks the New Year in the Telugu calendar. In the northern region of the country it is largely celebrated as Barhaspatyamana, whereas in the south it is also known to people by the names Sauraman and Chandramana. The name Ugadi has actually been derived from Yuga Aadi which means Beginning of a new age. According to the Hindu Mythology it was on the day of Ugadi that Lord Brahma, the pantheon of Hindu Mythology started the creation of the world we live in.

Ugadi generally falls on Chaitra Shuddha Prathipade and along with it brings the joy and freshness of Vasant Rithu which means spring. In the southern part of the country where the followers of Chandramana reside celebrate this day on Chaitra Shuddha Prathipade whereas those staying in the North and are the followers of Vikrama Shaka system and also the devotees of Goddess Shakthi celebrate it on Karthika Shuddha Padya.

This day is welcomed by the budding of new fruits, leaves and flowers and fresh aroma of herbs all around. Preparation for the celebration of this festival begins a week ahead of the first day and lasts for a long time. Houses are given a thorough wash and are decorated. New things are bought and it is evident by the number of people mobbing the market day and night.

On the day of Ugadi, quite similar to all the first days of various New Year calendars, members of the family wake up before the dawn breaks and take head baths after which they decorate the entrances of their houses with mango leaves that signify abundant harvest and general well being everywhere. Another interesting ritual is the splashing of cow dung water in front of the main entrances of the houses. People pray for health, wealth and prosperity of their families and invoke blessings of God for the coming year to be felicitous.

One of the dishes that has become synonymous with this day is Ugadi Pachchadi. Made of new mangoes, tamarind, jaggery and neem flowers, the dish has a unique taste. Even the preparation of this dish which is an amalgamation of sweet and bitter depicts the victory of good over the evil.