The word Ugadi/ఉగాది is explained as Yuga/యుగ and Aadi/ఆది.Yuga means "era" and "aadi" means beginning.It means the day (start of the year)is celebrated as Ugadi.According to the Indian calender Chaitra masam is the first month .This generally falls in the month of March or April.Ugadi falls on "chaitra shudhdha padyami".
Later people traditionally gather to listen to the recitation of the religious Panchangam (almanac) of the new year, and the general forecast of the year to come. This is called the 'Panchanga Sravanam',where an elderly and respected person refers to the new almanac and makes a general benediction to all present. The advent of television has changed this routine, especially in the cities. Nowadays, people turn on the TV to watch broadcasts of the "Panchanga Sravanam" recitation.
What we do for Ugadi?
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.
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 significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Kartik (or Subramanya or Kumara Swamy) and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes. As the legend goes Kartik exhorted people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway signifying a good crop and general well-being.
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.
We Prepare "Ugadi pachchadi"which is made of new jaggery(jaggery made with fresh crop of sugarcane adds a renewed flavor to the dishes) , raw mango(spreading its aroma in the air) and neem flowers(fully blossomed neem tree that makes the air healthy) and new tamarind which truly reflect life - a combination of sweet, sour and bitter tastes!
Special dishes are prepared for the occasion such as "pulihora", "bobbatlu" and preparations made with raw mango go well with the occasion.
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| Mamidikaya Pulihora |
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| Pesara Bobattu |
Later people traditionally gather to listen to the recitation of the religious Panchangam (almanac) of the new year, and the general forecast of the year to come. This is called the 'Panchanga Sravanam',where an elderly and respected person refers to the new almanac and makes a general benediction to all present. The advent of television has changed this routine, especially in the cities. Nowadays, people turn on the TV to watch broadcasts of the "Panchanga Sravanam" recitation.
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