UGADI – Telugu New Year’s Day

The name Ugadi" came from Yuga Aadi which means "Beginning of a New age ". It is believed that the creator according to Hinduism, Lord Brahma started his work of creation on the Chaitra suddha padhyami Ugadi. The onset of spring also in some way symbolically marks the beginning of new life. The new life seen in the fields and meadows, with colorful blossoms, also signify prosperity. Ugadi (literally - the start of an era) is the new year's day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While we the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. Ugadi is celebrated on different day every year because the Hindu calendar is lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and the Ugadi this year is on Friday, the 27th March. Name of this new year is: Sri Virodhinama Samvatsaram. The day begins with ritual showers followed by prayers, and then the eating of a specific mixture of – Ugadi Pachhadi (Ugadi Chutney) made of Neem Buds/Flowers for Bitterness, Jaggery for Sweetness, Raw Mango for Vagaru, Tamarind Juice for sour, Salt for salty , Green Pepper for hotness This mixture with all six tastes called Ugadi Pachhadi in Telugu and Bevu-Bella in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of pleasure and pain, which should be accepted together and with equanimity.

Auspicious days like Ugadi should be used and celebrated for making resolutions to change our way of life and to purify our behaviour by giving up all bad qualities. Ugadi is a festival that teaches lessons in selfless service. It is not intended for feasting. It is a sacred day when wholesome wisdom should dawn and enlightenment should blossom in our heart. Ugadi teaches everyone the lesson that one should perfect himself / herself as an embodiment of divinity.
Resource:
http://www.telugupedia.com/telugu-calendar
http://www.indianfoodforever.com/andhra/ugadi-pachadi.html
http://indiacuisine.blogspot.com/2006/03/ugadi-pachadi-andhra-delicacy.html
http://www.oursubhakaryam.com/FREETELUGUPANCHANGAM2009-2010PAGE.htm

Wishing you a very Happy Ugadi that brings a rich bounce of flora and fills your heart with joy and contentment.

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