Ugadi Festival
April 11, 2013
According to the Hindu Calendar, Ugadi is
celebrated on the first day of the bright fortnight ('Shukla
Paksha') of the first month ('Chaitra') in the first season
of the year i.e., Spring ('Vasanta'). This day is celebrated
as the New Year Day in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka
and Maharashtra. While it is called Ugadi or Yugadi in Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka, it is celebrated as Gudi Padva in Maharashtra.
The word ‘Ugadi’ is derived from the Sanskrit
word ‘Yugadi’, which means ‘beginning of
a new Yuga or era’. Legend has it that this was the
day on which Lord Krishna shed His body, signalling the end
of the Dwapara Yuga and the commencement of the Kali Yuga.
It is also believed that Lord Brahma created the Universe on this day, it
marks the beginning of the new Hindu lunar calendar, with a change in
the moon's orbit. Lord Brahma is believed to have created the days,
nights, weeks, months, seasons and years to count time.
On Ugadi, it is the tradition to begin the
day by partaking of a special preparation known as ‘Ugadi
Pacchadi’. Six ingredients go into the making of this
dish, each one representative of the six tastes:
-
Neem Buds/Flowers for its bitterness, signifying Sadness
-
Jaggery and ripe banana pieces for sweetness, signifying Happiness
-
Green Chilli/Pepper for its hot taste, signifying Anger
-
Salt, signifying Fear
-
Tamarind Juice for its sourness, signifying Disgust
-
Unripened Mango for its tang, signifying Surprise
This reminds us to
accept both the joys and sorrows that life offers us with
equal mindedness.
Leaving the past behind and starting afresh with positive expectation is
one of the key aspects of Ugadi. Ugadi heralds the beginning of spring: the season of joy, plenty, growth
and prosperity. Spring ushers in new life on earth.Vasanta Navratri (the nine day spring festival) commences on this day and ends on
Ramnavami, nine days later.
Devotees perform ritualistic pujas and seek blessings from God for
health, wealth, prosperity, and success in businesses and work as well.
It is for this reason that it is considered the best time to take on new
ventures or personal goals for betterment of oneself. The day is
preceded by the pre-Ugadi preparations that begin a few days before the
actual day. It includes thoroughly cleaning the entire household and
shopping for new clothes and other items that go with the requirements
of the festival.
The day starts with devotees waking up before dawn and taking oil baths
according to the ritual, after which they decorate their houses: the
front with extensively prepared colorful rangolis and the doors and
windows with strings of mango leaves that signify good crop and general
well-being over the year.
On Ugadi,
two very special sacred fire ceremonies, Navagraha Homa (homa to
strengthen
benefic planets, increase their positive influence and pacify malefic
planets and neutralize their negative effects) and
Chandi Homa (homa for peace and welfare) will
be performed at Amma's Penisula Ashram in India.
For Details of the Navagraha and Chandi Homa sponsorship, please click here.
Wishing You All A Happy and Prosperous Ugadi
Ugadi Shubhakankshalu
(Telegu)
Yugadi Habbada Shubhashayagalu
(Kannada)
Gudhi padvyachya hardik shubhechcha
(Marathi)
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May All Beings Be Happy
Om Shantih Shantih Shantihi
May All Be in Peace
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