In its most basic sense, Ugadi or Yugadi refers to the start of a new era. Ugadi is observed as the New Year in the Deccan region, which includes the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, and is located between the Vindhyachal hills and the Kaveri river.
This is done in reference to the beginning of the Kali Yuga, which began when Lord Krishna left this world.
According to the Telugu calendar, This festival is observed on the first day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Chaitra, or Chaitra Sukla Paksha Padyami.
On March 22, 2023, on Wednesday, Ugadi will be observed this year. Yuga plus Adi equals Ugadi, which is when the Yuga began. Beginning with Ugadi, the Telugu new year begins.
Andhra Pradesh celebrates it as one of its traditional holidays. Different regions of the country celebrate Ugadi under different names, such as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Tappan in Rajasthan, Cheti Chand in Sind, etc.
In Andhra Pradesh, the ceremony starts with a head bath in the early morning hours. It is customary to consume Ugadi Pacchadi or Ugadi Pickle after taking a bath but before consuming any other food or drink.
Neem flowers, Jaggery, green chilies, salt, Tamarind, and unripe mango pieces are used to make Ugadi Pacchadi.
According to the Panchangam, It is observed on the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the brilliant fortnight of the Hindu month Chaitra).
At the dawn of the day, the Pratipada Tithi must be in effect.
The first day will be taken into consideration for the celebration if Pratipada is seen during both of the following mornings’ sunrises.
The day shall be taken into consideration as the beginning of the Tithi if Pratipada Tithi is not present at any sunrise.
It is believed that the Lord of the first day of the New Year is also the Lord of the entire year. Wednesday is the first day of 2023. The lord of Wednesday is Lord Mercury.
Mercury is hence the New Year’s Lord.
The New Year for Deccan
The beginning of Ugadi occurs after the Spring Equinox when the sun moves from the southern to the northern hemisphere.
It symbolizes new life, new desires, and the arrival of spring because it signals the start of the season. As stated in myth, this day marks the beginning of Lord Brahma’s creation of the universe.
Additionally, Lord Rama’s return to his exiled homeland is commemorated by this event. Ugadi planning starts a week in advance.
Cleaning and home improvements are done by people. The necessary festival-related purchases, including new clothing, have been made.
Before the sun rises, people take a bath and use fresh mango leaves to decorate their windows and door.
The Ugadi ceremony in Andhra Pradesh starts with a head bath and an early morning wake-up call. Prior to drinking or eating anything, it is customary to consume Ugadi Pacchadi or Ugadi Pickle after taking a bath.
Neem flowers, jaggery, green chilies, salt, tamarind, and unripe mango chunks are used to make the Ugadi Pacchadi.
Each of the ingredients listed above denotes a mood. Bitter Neem flowers are used to treat sadness. Salt for fear, green chilies for anger, jaggery for happiness, Tamarind in disdain, Surprise with an unripe mango.
It is customary to read the year’s Panchang after consuming the Ugadi pickle in order to determine what each person can expect based on their Rashi.
On this day, youngsters wear new clothes and ask the elders for blessings so that their year would be fruitful.
Before the sun rises, people take a bath and use fresh mango leaves to decorate their windows and door. Mango leaves are tied together for a reason: Kartikeya and Ganesha, the sons of Shiva and Parvati, loved mangoes very much.
To welcome good fortune and a plentiful harvest, Kartikey ordered that people fasten mango leaves to the doors of their homes.
Rituals in Ugadi
It is customary to read the year’s Panchang after consuming the Ugadi pickle in order to determine what each person can expect based on their Rashi.
On this day, youngsters wear new clothes and ask the elders for blessings so that their year would be fruitful. Before the sun rises, people take a bath and use fresh mango leaves to decorate their windows and door.
Mango leaves are tied together for a reason: Kartikeya and Ganesha, the sons of Shiva and Parvati, loved mangoes very much.
To welcome good fortune and a plentiful harvest, Kartikey ordered that people fasten mango leaves to the doors of their homes.
The people of the Deccan region celebrate Ugadi as a time for pleasure, color, and celebration every year. A week before Ugadi, people begin to get ready.
Before adding rangolis and fresh flowers, houses are cleaned, painted, and adorned. The atmosphere is cleaned with cow poo water.
As a sign of abundance and luck, mango leaves are tied at the door.
People worship God on this day with customary rituals in order to ask for blessings for prosperity and happiness in the upcoming year.
Worship on this day begins with a holy bath at dawn. On this occasion, people purchase new apparel and jewelry.
Raw mango season is currently underway. As a result, meals like “pulihora” and “bobbatlu,” which are cooked with raw mangoes, are prepared during Ugadi.
On this day, the traditional food “Ugadi pachchadi,” which is made with jaggery, green pepper, salt, neem blossoms, tamarind, and bits of raw mango, is cooked. This dish is said to represent all the flavors of “life.”
There are cultural events during Ugadi. This festival includes the organization of hymns, poetry recitals, and devotional singing (Kavi sammelan).
The Panchanga, or New Year’s forecast, draws crowds of people together. It’s called “Panchanga Shravanam” to perform this practice.
A time of family unions is Ugadi. On this day, people join together to celebrate and feast.
According to old customs, asking the elders in the family for their blessings is a requirement for a happy year to come.
Each person receives a specific mixture of neem leaves and jaggery.
On this day, a lot of worshippers go to temples to perform puja for the Almighty, such as the Tirupati Venketeshwara temple and the Lord Shiva temple in Srisailam.
Wish you a very happy Sankranthi. Hope Whitefield metro will be fully operational by Ugadi, 22 March 2023 🙏 @cpronammametro @WFRising @WF_Watcher @0RRCA https://t.co/JlgSokSEsK
— Shashi Bangalore (@shashibk) January 15, 2023
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