Significance
In the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the Ugadi celebration
celebrates the start of the new year. The term "Yuga Adi" refers to
the start of a new era. It heralds the arrival of Spring and the start of a new
era. On the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, the celebration takes
place. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator, started the
creation process on this day.
Deity-
Lord Ganesha
Ritual (pooja, vrat etc.)
Charity is also an important aspect of the event. On this day,
people give to the poor and share presents with their loved ones. To
commemorate the event, dishes such as puliogara, lemon rice, raw mango rice,
and others are made.
The traditions include the
preparation of UgadiPacchhadi, a meal served on this day. Jaggery is combined
with grated raw mangoes, salt, neem leaves, and flowers to make this dish.
People eat this bitter-sweet-sour prasad to remind themselves that life is a
mix of tastes. It denotes that everyone will experience both joy and sorrow in
life.
Celebrations
People clean and paint their homes before the commencement of
Chaitra and decorate temples and deity chambers in their homes with jasmine
flowers and mango leaves.
To begin the festivities, the entire household rises before
morning, takes a head bath, and massages the entire body with sesame oil before
donning new, traditional clothing. The gods and goddesses in the home are then
bathed in oil as well, followed by prayers and offerings of neem blossoms,
mango, and tamarind. The oldest ladies in the family then apply oil and
vermilion to the younger members' foreheads, after which everyone in the family
looks at their reflection in a molten ghee pot.The whole family worships the
first Panchanga or the new Hindu almanack. It is said that anyone who read and
listen to the Panchanga would receive special benefits. In the shape of new
clothing, the Temple priest or anybody who reads the panchanga must get
gratitude.
The "Dhwaja Indra," which is intended to make rain, is
adored, which is also a characteristic of the new year of GudiPadwa. Devotees
adorn with red soil and mango and neem leaves their front entrance. The
entryway is adorned with Rangoli in white limestone, however the figure can
alternatively be filled with coloured powder.
The Bevu Bella is a unique sort of cuisine that is made for this
occasion. The dish is made of Neem flowers or buds, jaggery, green chillies,
salt, tamarind juice, and unripened mango, and it represents a blend of joyful,
sorrowful, angry, frightened, unpleasant, and unexpected life experiences.
Before the family eats the
meal, it is first presented to the gods. The rest of the day is spent visiting
temples, praying, and celebrating with friends and family.
How to celebrate (including dishes etc.)
Ugadi is a festival that focuses on the production of unique foods
that have six distinct tastes. The event honours life's six tastes, from
"bella" (sweetness) to "bevu" (bitterness) and all in
between.
Following the oil baths and Puja, the family gathers to share a
feast that reflects the different stages of life that one must go through.
Bitterness : The bitter taste of neem buds and blossoms represents
the bitter taste of disappointment or setbacks that one may encounter during
one's life.
Sweetness: Taste and realise how delicious life may be. This vital
flavour is brought forth by Ugadi'sbella, which means jaggery.
Spicy: The pleasant taste of life, after all Spice is considered
the diversity of life which brings the genuine essence alive.
Selteness: Salt's flavour is similar to life's events. These
encounters develop life and contribute to the worth of one's life journey.
Sourness: the most drool-inducing feeling is your taste when it
sinks in. Turn your lemons into lemonade when things get sour.
Tangy: The tangy flavour
tends to remain on the mouth for a long period coincident with the advent of
mangoes. Just like every one of the great events.
Gifts
·
wear new clothes
·
Flowers
·
Sweets
Potted Plants
Best places to experience/ Mela
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka
Date & Time
It is festively observed in these regions on the first day
of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra.[3] This typically falls in
April month of the Gregorian calendar.
Public Holidays (Y/N and where)
No / Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka
