Hosa Varshada Shubhashayagalu
"Greetings on the New Year"
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Ugadi or
Yugadi is New Year's Day in Karnataka and a New Year for Hindus in many parts
of India.The name Yugadi or Ugadi is from the Sanskrit words Yuga (age) and
ādi (beginning): "the beginning of a new age". Ugadi
is celebrated with much vigor in various states of India as a festival of
prosperity. In the
states of Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu
and Kerala the day is a great occasion. Gatherings of the extended family and
sumptuous feasts are customary. Preparations for the festival begin a week ahead.
On Ugadi, the day begins early with ritual showers, rubbing the body with
perfumed oil, followed by prayers. People buy new clothes and buy new items for the festival and decorate the front of their houses with fresh mango leaves. Mango leaves and coconuts are auspicious in
the Hindu tradition and used on Ugadi. People also clean the front of their
house with water and draw colorful floral designs. People offer
prayers in temples. The pacchadi or "festive dish" is symbolic
reminding people that the coming New Year as with life will consist of not only
sweet experiences but a combination of Sweet, Sour, Salty and Bitter episodes.
In Telugu and Kannada Hindu traditions, it's a
reminder that one must expect all the flavors of experiences in the coming New Year
and makes the most of them. As the different substances are bound together, one
must remember that no event or episode is good or bad. Even in the midst
of bitter experiences, there are sweet moments. Like the new leaves, new buds, fresh breeze and
bright sunlight, the Ugadi festival also symbolizes the birth of a new era. It
is celebrated on Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) of the first month Chaitra of
the Hindu calendar and also the first season, Vasanta –Ritu Spring). As all
these elements work together, the Ugadi festival's importance is very
significant. Along with the onset of the year,the
Ugadi festival's importance is felt among the masses. It celebrates the vibrancy
of nature as well as life.
The colorful blossoms symbolize
growth and Jasmine, which blooms during this time of the year, is offered to
Gods in the form of garlands. There are many customs of the festival which are
an integral part of Ugadi significance and symbolism. One such custom is that
making UgadiPachadi.
The significance of UgadiPachadi is
immense as it symbolizes the essence of life. This special dish is prepared
with ingredients like:
·
Jaggery (sweet): symbolizing
happiness
·
Salt (salty) :showing interest in
life
·
Tamarind (sour) :symbolizing
challenges
·
Neem flowers (bitter) :shows
difficulties of life
·
Raw mango (tangy): indicating
surprises and new challenges
·
Chilli powder (spicy): showing the
angry moments in one’s life.
The dish is significant as it has
all the tastes of life. It teaches that life is a mixture of all the emotions.
Each and every ritual followed on this day, has its own significance. Hanging
of mango leaves and placing a kalash near the door or the calling of the priest
to make the yearly forecast are all part of Ugadi significance and symbolism.
Yugadi Habbada Shubhaashayagalu
"Greetings for the Festival of Yugadi"
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