Ugadi

Ugadi is the Vedic new year of people from Deccan region that lies between Vindhyachal hills and Kavery (Cauvery) river i.e states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It marks the first day of Chaitra Month (March-April). Ugadi welcomes spring season. Ugadi festival celebration imparts great enthusiasm and newness to people. Spring season is the time for jasmine and mango. House entrance is decorated with mango & neem leaves, and jasmine flowers. It is a symbol of wellbeing and prosperity. Also, neem and mango leaves eliminate airborne diseases. 

Ugadi 2023

Rituals

People commence the festival preparations almost a week in advance. Houses, gardens are cleaned, sometimes even painted welcoming the new year. On the day of Ugadi, the houses are well decorated with colorful rangolis, fragrant flowers. Fresh Mango leaves are tied together as a toran and hung at the doorstep as a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune. People begin their day begins with ritual oil-bath followed by worship or prayers. Taking Oil bath and consuming one or two Neem leaves are a must ritual mentioned in the scriptures. A special dish called Bobbatlu is prepared on this day. There is another popular practice where people gather to hear the Panchanga or the Vedic forecast of the New Year. This ritual is known as 'Panchanga Shravanam'

Ugadi Pacchadi

Pacchadi or Shadruchulu is a special traditional teertha or a chutney that constitutes all five flavours- sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and spicy. Neem flowers, tamarind paste, jaggery, salt, chillies, (or powder) and diced or grated mango are added to impart these flavours. This Pacchadi symbolises the essence of life being a mixture of all flavours. Salt denotes "interesting arenas of life", sweet represents "joy or happiness", Tamarind or sourness denotes "challenges we face in life" while neem flowers or bitterness symbolises "difficulties of life, mango pieces or tanginess represents " sudden surprises or unexpected situations in life" and chillies or spicy flavour represents "angry moments in life". The pacchadi is important as it promotes good health, Salt keeps the body hydrated; jaggery fixes anaemia, tamarind aids in good digestion; Neem flowers prevent allergies and acts as an antibiotic, mango clears toxins from blood. Pacchadi acts as a natural shield against all possible Summer diseases and weaknesses.

Importance of Ugadi

Ugadi festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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