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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Ugadi

Ugadi is the New Year's Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh and also for the Telugu people all over the world. Those who live north of the Vindhya hills observe it as "Barhaspatyamana". People living to the south of the Vindhya hills observe it as "Sauramana" or "Chandramana".

A Unique Ritual
There is a peculiarity about the practices of the various sects of Brahmins; one who is not conversant with them finds it difficult to understand their meaning. Even though they are all Brahmins certain differences in their lineage may be traced among them. These become manifest in their distinctive calendars where the dates and months vary. Some have calculations according to the solar system, and others according to the lunar system; with the result that despite all being Brahmins the New Year differs among different sects. Thus there is a Telugu New Year's Day, a Tamil New Year's Day, and a New Year's distinct from these in the almanac of North India.
Ugadi

According to Chandramana, Ugadi is celebrated on the bright fortnight ('Shukla Paksha') of the first month ('Chaitra Masa') in the first season of the year i.e. Spring ('Vasanta-Ritu'). As all these important elements are present, this day has special significance marking the commencement of a New Year.

Significance
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 calculations of the great Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya proclaim the Ugadi day 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 acquiring new life, shoots and leaves. The vibrancy of life and verdant fields, meadows full of colourful blossoms signify growth, prosperity and well-being.

With the coming of Ugadi, the naturally perfumed Jasmine's spread a sweet fragrance, which is perhaps unmatched by any other in nature's own creation. While large garlands of Jasmine are offered to Gods in homes and temples, Jasmine flowers woven in clusters adorn the braids of women.

Predictions Of The Year
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon's orbit. On this day, people chant mantras and the pundits make predictions for the coming year. Traditionally, the "Panchangasravanam" or listening to the yearly calendar was done at the temples or at the Town square but with the onset of modern technology, one can get to hear the priest-scholar on television sets right in one's living room.

Preparing For The 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.

Ugadi is celebrated with festive fervour in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. While it is called Ugadi in Andhara and Karnataka, in Maharashtra it is known as "Gudipadava".

On Ugadi day, 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 green mango leaves tied to the doorway signify a good crop and general well being. It is noteworthy that one uses mango leaves and coconuts (as in a 'Kalasam', to initiate any puja) only on auspicious occasions to propitiate gods.

People also splash fresh cow dung water on the ground in front of their house and draw colourful floral designs. This is a common sight in every household. 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 Delicacies
It is a season for raw mangoes spreading its aroma in the air and the fully blossomed Neem tree that makes the air healthy. Also, jaggery made with fresh crop of sugarcane adds a renewed flavour to the typical dishes associated with Ugadi.

"Ugadi Pachchadi" is one such dish that has become synonymous with Ugadi. It is made of new jaggery, raw mango pieces, Neem flowers and new tamarind. 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 and welcoming 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.

In Andhra Pradesh, eatables such as "Pulihora", "Bobbatlu" and preparations made with raw mango go well with the occasion. In Karnataka too, similar preparations are made but called "Puliogure" and "Holige". The Maharashtrians make "Puran Poli" or sweet 'Rotis'.

Ugadi Decoration Kavi Sammelanam
Kavi Sammelanam or 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 Kavi Sammelanam is also a launch pad for new and budding poets. It is generally carried live on All India Radio, Hyderabad and the Doordarshan - Hyderabad, following "Panchangasravanam" (New year calendar) narrating the way the New Year would shape up in the lives of people and the state in general. 'Kavis' or poets of many hues - political, comic, satirical reformist, literary and melancholic make an appearance on the Ugadi stage.

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.

14 comments:

Rohini said...

hey dear! Happy Ugadi to you and your family! :)
Cheers! :)

Creativity said...

Nice To See You Here Darling:) Thanks a Lot for visiting My Blog:) Thanks a Lot for Ugadi Wishes Sweet Heart & Same2u and Ur Family Too:)

workhard said...

Hey, wish u a very happy Ugadi.. I once had the pachadi and it was so good, so i went to ma friends place today just to have some of it...

Poetry directory

Creativity said...

@ workhard:- thanks a lot Darling & same2u:) hmmm....even I too love pachadi prepared by my mom:)

workhard said...

OHHH, i should have visited your site before so by this time i could have come over and tasted your moms pachadi ;-)

Creativity said...

Ya sure Dear:) Even Now You can Taste it:)

workhard said...

That is just so sweet...:) and thanks, Ugadi is a Telugu festival right..... U from Hyd?

Creativity said...

No, I am 4m Blore:) Ugadi is Hindu's Festival..Normally, kannadigas and Hyd ppl call this festival as Ugadi..Uga is a year[samvathsaram] and Adi means first.....and Maharashtrians call it as Gudi Padwa..calling this festival in different names thats it..but it's Hindu's Festival:)

workhard said...

Oh ok, i thought it was just for hyd.. keep that in mind... ;)

ShantanuDas said...

I have a raw mango photo scheduled for posting next week !!

Yummy !

ShantanuDas said...

Nah rey ~~~
... I am a Bengali.. we do not have anything equivalent..
... and I think I am Hindu... hhmmmmmmmm!!

Actually in spite of being Hindus.. [other than difference in names for same festival which is due to language] we do have different festivals or even if we have same we may be giving more importance to one in one state than the others in other states.. eg Durga Puja.. we give more stress to this whereas the same goddess is worshipped at some places by name of Mata-Di and yet some others like Gujarat for eg celebrates Navaratri... [nine nights- whereas our puja is 5 days]. we do not have navaratri..

So telegu new year is Ugadi.. and others like you said.. but ours is Nababarsho.. this part is because of difference in language.. but notice the dates? Ours is around 14th April.. because it is Bengali New Year.. and whichever date 1st of Bengali New year falls on in the Gregorian Calendar (that is the name of our english calendar i think?) is that date.. and mostly it is around 14th aPRIL...
:-)

Creativity said...

Oh cho chweeet:) Post that raw mango as earliest as possible:) I can't wait for more number of days..don't postpone..do it as earliest as possible:)

Creativity said...

hmmm...Thanks a lot for Info of Bengali New Year:) Wish You Happy Advance Bengali New Year:)

In our qtrs, there r many bengali's..my neighbor is also Bengali:) yup:) urs Durga pooja is awesome..I really Liked it:)

In our colony, Bengali's even did saraswathi pooja..too good:) even that article also i ve posted..
http://rpsahana.blogspot.com/2009/01/sweet-cherishable-memories.html

ShantanuDas said...

well since you told me to.. i have posted my picture...and Dedicated my Raw Mango to you

haha!! how sweet you are !!