In the southern states, people shop heavily and decorate their homes with rangoli and flowers. They use mango leaves and neem to make toranas and start new ventures. Dishes like Puliogara, lemon rice and raw mango rice are prepared on this day. A major attraction is Ugadi Pachadi chutney , prepared by mixing jaggery with grated raw mangoes, salt, neem leaves, and flowers.
This prasad reminds people that life is a combination of different flavors — the sweetness of jaggery, the bitterness of neemflower, the sourness of tamarind and the pungent flavor of the green mango. This day is also considered highly auspicious to start new ventures. However, all business transactions are carried out after certain religious observances that are said to bring good luck, wealth and prosperity to believers.
Before the beginning of Chaitra, people clean and whitewash their homes and decorate temples as well as the deity rooms in their homes with jasmine flowers and mango leaves.
To start the celebrations, the entire household wakes up before dawn and take a head bath after massaging the whole body with sesame oil and wear new, traditional clothes.
The idols of gods and goddesses within the house are then bathed in oil too, after which prayers and offerings of neem flowers, mango and tamarind are given up. The elderly women in the family then apply oil and vermilion to the forehead of the younger members following which all members of the family watch their reflection in a vessel of molten ghee.
The entire family worships the Panchanga or the new Hindu almanac which is read for the first time. It is believed that special blessings are bestowed on those who read and listen to the Panchanga.
The temple priest or whosoever is reading the Panchanga needs to be given gifts of thanks in the form of new clothes. Devotees decorate their front door with red earth and a string of mango and neem leaves. The entrance is also decorated with Rangoli in white chalk although colored powder can also be used to fill the outlined figure. There is a special type of food item that is prepared for this occasion and is called the Bevu Bella. Significance of Ugadi in Nature : It is the time of the year that heralds in the spring season.
With the advent of spring, Mother Nature wakes up from her reverie and gives birth to new shoots, leaves, and plants. A blanket of greenery starts to cover the earth and everything in nature seems to adorn a new look.
Ugadi marks the regeneration of Mother Nature. The spring festival of Vasanta Navratri also commences on this day and continues for nine days before concluding on Ram Navami.
Psychological Significance of Ugadi : A fresh beginning is the essence of human life as well as the occasion of Ugadi. Just as the trees and plants unfurl new leaves during spring, Ugadi marks the unfurling of new hopes and expectations in human lives. The occasion is all about leaving behind the past and starting anew with fresh expectations and a positive frame of mind.
A lot of preparations are carried out to celebrate the festival. The preparations generally begin a few days in advance. People clean and wash their houses for the occasion. New clothes are bought to be worn on that day. To celebrate the spirit of Ugadi, several other items are purchased and kept ready by the people. They make preparations for the special cuisines to be cooked on the day.
The celebration of Ugadi is marked by enthusiasm and cheerfulness. On the special day, people wake up before sunrise and get ready after taking a ceremonial oil-bath, as it is a prevalent custom for Ugadi. Even the idols of gods and goddesses are given an oil-bath on this day. Temples, homes, and shops are decorated with flowers and mango leaves, especially the entrances. Making colourful floral patterns or rangolis in front of the houses is a common practice on the day.
Family members dress up in new clothes and gather to worship and pray together on this day. Prayers are offered to the Sun God before consuming Bevu Bella, a dish that holds much significance in Ugadi celebrations. People visit temples to make offerings and seek blessings from the Almighty and start the New Year on a happy and positive note. Special dishes are cooked for the occasion and enjoyed by families.
Sweets and eatables are shared with friends and neighbours. An important aspect of the occasion is the Panchanga Shravanam or hearing of the Panchanga. It is read by the priests at the temples or by the eldest member of the family at home. On this day, based on the moon sign, predictions and annual forecasts for the New Year are also made by the learned pandits and astrologers.
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