| UGADI
- TELUGU NEW YEAR'S DAY |
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| Celebrated by
: Telugu People |
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| Marks : The Beginning of the new year |
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| Religion : Hindu |
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| In the month
of : March/April |
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| 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". |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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| 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". |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| "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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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'. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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