Why do we celebrate Ugadi? Before going ahead with the answer of top reasons behind Ugadi celebration, let me tell you first, What is Ugadi.
What is Ugadi?
Ugadi is a major Hindu festival which is celebrated in many states of India. Ugadi is a summer festival which signifies the onset of spring season. It is celebrated in Southern part of India. On the same day, Gudi Padwa is also celebrated in Maharashtra. Gudi Padwa or Ugadi is the New Years of respective people. Ugadi is the new year of Karnataka people.
Ugadi which means “Starting off a new age” in Sanskrit is one of the most celebrated festivals in South. Hindu people in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerela celebrate this festival as their New Year festival. Ugadi is celebrated on the first full moon day of Chaitra month. This falls usually during April/May month of the year. In 2019, Ugadi will be celebrated on 19th April.
Why is Ugadi Celebrated?
There are many legends and tales associated with why is Ugadi festival celebrated. Let’s have a look at some of the most prominent Ugadi festivals and legends –
1. Fresh Start – It is believed that Ugadi resonates with a fresh start. It is this day when Lord Brahma thought of staring or making the world. And thus this day is considered to be the very first day ever. Undoubtedly, Ugadi is also closely associated with the onset of spring. People believe that with Ugadi, the trees will get a new color and flowers will also begin to bloom. People wear new clothes and are all ready to welcome the new year with their family and loved ones.
2. An auspicious start for the Business – it is believed that during the fall season, the business is also not quite profitable. It stands back and is not able to earn much. And when Ugadi comes, then business people come together and pray to God to change the season and shower their blessings on their business so that it may also prosper.
Ugadi Festival History
Above given are some of the major reasons why Ugadi is celebrated in the Southern states of India. Let’s have a look at the Ugadi History.
This story of Ugadi festival dates long back to the era of Kaveri and Vindhyas river. People of Karnataka, Kerela and Tamil Nadu used to follow the lunar calendar during those days. This calendar dates back to the Shalivahana era which was built by the great legend Shalivahana. The king Shalivahana was also called as Gautamiputra Satakarni and he is the one who started the era of Shalivahana.
The lunar calendar has a cycle of sixty days and after sixty days, new calendar year commences. This new year starts on the day of Yugadi. This is the time when spring festival also commences. Grass, leaves and all the colors beside you begin to change their colors. The days are much brighter and this is the time when Ugadi is celebrated. The excitement is visible on everyone’s face.
How do we celebrate Ugadi?
Ugadi is a festival which is celebrated with your near and dear ones. The entire family comes together and celebrate this festival. Firstly all the family members wake up and take an oil bath early in the morning. Then everyone wears new clothes and dress themselves up. Elder women folks are seen applying vermillion on the heads of younger women, especially married ones. Elders of the family gift younger ones with money, new clothes, and gifts.
Idols of the house are also bathed in oil and they are cleaned. The entire house is also cleaned and whitewashed. Mango leaves are hanged and decorated on the entrance. The house is decorated with Jasmine flowers and such blooming flowers.
Rangoli is also made at the entrance of each house. Rangoli is made with white chalk and colorful patterns are also filled inside the Rangoli to make it look attractive.
Major sweet delicacies are an important part of this festival. Sweet dishes like kheer, jaggery are exclusively made and consumed during Ugadi. 6 major ingredients and specialties of this festival are – raw mango, neem, tamarind, jaggery, and salt. These ingredients are known as “Ugadi Pacchadi”. These ingredients are the perfect representation of happiness, sorrow, anger, bitterness, surprise, and fear. This ritual is well known and has a close resemblance to human emotions and human psychology.
Ugadi Delicacies
Some other major parts of Ugadi delicacies which is made during Ugadi festival are –
1. Ugadi Pachadi – This is made from raw mango, raw banana, neem, tamarind, and jaggery. This dish is offered for the first time to God and then the dish is served among family members. Raw mango is used in this dish because raw mango is considered as a new fruit and a new fruit is first offered to God and then served among family member. Neem leaves are also used in this dish and the purpose of using neem leaves is that your blood will get purified and the toxins will be flushed out.
2. Pulihora – Pulihora is made with cooked rice, bean, urad dal, cashew nuts, and peanuts. This is served among the people who celebrate this festival.
3. Bobbatlu – This recipe is made using maida, semolina, Bengal gram, and grated jaggery. Grated coconut is used in this dish for additional flavor.
Make Ugadi 2019 Memorable
Ugadi is a perfect time to spend with your family. This is the time to bring your closed associations and bonds closer to you.
Let’s join hands to make Ugadi 2019 memorable for you. Find out how in the points given below –
1. Rangoli – Sit with your family and help them to make a huge colorful Rangoli. This will bring out your creativity and you will cherish the time to spend with your loved ones.
2. Make the Greeting Memorable – How about preparing some hand made cards so that you enjoy gifting them to children and your loved ones. This will bring out the best in you and you will automatically love the warmth of this gesture.
3. Lending a hand in making the lunch – The lunch is one of the most wonderful times to bond up. Help your mother to make those dishes and trust us the taste will get enhanced.
Looking forward to happy and merry Ugadi 2019.
