Author: -- | Last Updated: Mon 23 Jan 2017 3:30:11 PM
Ugadi is celebrated as New Year by the people of Deccan region of India. According to the Hindu Calendar, it is celebrated on the very first day of Chaitra month. It will be on 28 March 2017. This festival is celebrated in various parts of India with different names like Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. The delicacies made on this day indicates the acceptance of various phases of life by the people.
Saka is the name of the Indian national calendar, you may also consider it Hindu calendar, ambiguously. As per Saka calendar, the Hindu New Year begins from the month of Chaitra. Hence, the first day of Chaitra month is celebrated as Ugadi.
Ugadi festival can become a day when you can plan for entire year, as it marks the new beginning. Also, feel the auspiciousness of this day with family and friends, and celebrate the festivity of the Ugadi festival in 2017.
Sukha Dukhe Samekruthva
Labha Labhav Jayaa Jayav
This was told to Arjuna by Lord Krishna. It means that sorrows & happiness, victory & defeat, and gain & loss, all are the parts of life. Therefore, one should treat them equally.
Ugadi festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and gusto in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Maharashtra. All these states celebrate Ugadi according to their own customs and traditions. Let’s learn the different names of this day:
The day begins with waking up early morning and taking bath. Bathing on Ugadi is quite different from bathing on other days, as on this day, sesame (Til) oil is applied on the whole body before taking the bath. Other interesting things about this day is plastering of cow dung on the floor. Also, artistic Rangoli is drawn either in the Puja room or at the entrance of the home.
So, for Ugadi festival, you can also make proper preparations and enjoy Ugadi festival with great enjoyment and fun.
For the people of Maharashtra, Ugadi is known as Gudi Padwa. As per the traditions of the day, a bamboo pole is taken and decorated using neem & mango leaves and flowers. At the end of the pole, a bright colored cloth is tied and on the top of the pole, a silver or copper pot is kept (inverted). After all this, Gudi (flag) is hoisted by the men.
So, don’t forget to decorate the mango leaves’ door hanging on Ugadi 2016.
You must be eager to know, what are the signature dishes of Ugadi? Here are some:
Made up from 6 different ingredients, this dish has its own significance. Prepared from raw mangoes, neem flowers, jaggery, and tamarind; the dish tells us that life is full of ups & downs, joys & sorrows, and we should accept it as it comes. Each ingredient of Ugadi Pachadi says something.
Let’s throw a light on each message:
Jaggery: brings happiness in life
Tamarind: signifies the unhappy moments
Salt: adds flavors to life
Neem flowers: represents the unpleasant moments of life
Chilli powder: for the aggressive moments
Raw mango: represents the sad memories
Let’s throw a light on each message:
Jaggery: brings happiness in life
Tamarind: signifies the unhappy moments
Salt: adds flavors to life
Neem flowers: represents the unpleasant moments of life
Chilli powder: for the aggressive moments
Raw mango: represents the sad memories
So, on the occasion of Ugadi festival in 2016, prepare this dish and also understand the message that it gives to all of us.
On the day of Ugadi, the new Almanac or Panchanga or Hindu calendar is opened for the first time followed by worshiping and reading. A social function is arranged in which an elderly person opens and reads the Panchanga, and makes predictions for the coming year.
On the day of Ugadi, poetry recitation or Kavi Sammelan is an added feature of the festival. Poets from nearby localities gather and recite their poems, on the subjects of their own interest. Poets and literature lovers enjoy listening and reciting poems on the topics ranging from ancient times to the present world.
Happy Ugadi 2017!