Saturday, March 13, 2010

Ugadi Festival

By Meena Sthanam
Feb 18, 2009 (republished this year on the occasion of Ugadi)

Ugadi comes from a word Yugadi, which means ‘the aadi’ (beginning) of new (Kali) Yuga. It was the day when Kali Yuga started. The Sanskrit verse by Maharishi Vedavyasa says that ‘Yesmin Krishno Divam Vyathaha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam’. It means the Kali Yuga started on the day when Lord Sri Krishna attained Nirvana. Some Indian historians date the beginning of Kali Yuga to 3102 BC.

Hindus celebrate Ugadi festival marking the beginning of the New Year, since it brings happiness with the onset of Vasantha Ruthuvu (spring) after a long dreary winter. In lunar calendar, this festival falls on Chaitra Shuddha Padyami, which comes generally in the months of March or April of the Gregorian calendar. This year Ugadi falls on March 27. Sixty years make one cycle and each cycle starts with names like Prabhava, Vibhava, Shukla etc., and ends with Akshaya. This year’s name is going to be Virodhi, which is 23rd year out of 60.

According to Hindu sages, Lord Brahma created the earth and set days, nights, weeks, fortnights, months, seasons, and years so that we can count passing of the time and seasons. During Ramayana period, the New Year was celebrated on the first day of Uttharayana. So, Chaitra was the 12th month. However, Varahamihira, a saint who lived in sixth century started a new method of celebrating New Year on Chaithra Shuddha Padyami that was in sync with seasons. Hence, the festival to celebrate the beginning of the ‘happy seasons’ comes after Holi, the festival of colors. Vasant Navarathri starts from same day.

People from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, and people of Maharashtra celebrate on the same day calling it as Gudi Padava. Sindhis who migrated from ‘Sindh’ province of Pakistan celebrate it as Cheti Chand, whereas people from Konkan region of south western India and also Hindus from Kashmir celebrate the same day as the beginning of New Year. Since Ugadi heralds the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day, it also marks a beginning of new life with plants acquiring new shoots, leaves and colors. As Chaithra Masa (month) ends the shivering and gloomy winter season, we see budding tender leaves, flowers and fruits all around us.

We can listen the chanting of birds and enjoy the fragrant smell of flowers from distance. It is the start of a season when everything is lush green and vibrant, where fresh green leaves replace the wilted ones while flowers bloom in full glory. We can find happiness everywhere as the ‘spring’ surprises us with fresh life, and with no involvement of ours Mother Nature gives fresh life to most of her creation. This is a special delight for which we cannot take any credit or pretend that we made an effort and so naturally it is the happiest day of the year. The vibrancy of the new and old life signifies growth, prosperity and well-being.

The day begins with ritual showers of oil bath. Young and old wear new cloths and offer Puja for the Gods, invoking His/Her blessings before they start the New Year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. This is followed by taking prasadam, the UGADI PACCHADI. It is a specific mixture of neem buds (bitter), jaggery (sweet), raw mango and tamarind juice (sour), green pepper (hot) and salt, a recipe that reflects life itself. It is mixture of sweet, sour, salt and bitter things, symbolizing the pleasure and pain that are to be expected and accepted in life. The inner significance of this prasadam from almighty is that the life is a mixture of good and bad, joy and sorrow, success and disappointment, and we have to face them and treat them alike. This surely helps us develop positive attitude toward life. In Andhra Pradesh this special prasadam is called Ugadi Pachhadi and in Karnataka it is called Bevu Bella.

It is customary to read or listen to the recitation of the religious almanac (called Panchanga Shravana or listening to the yearly calendar on Ugadi). Pundits will open the new Panchanga and explain the forecast of rain, crop, storms, crop prices and other relevant things, predicted based on many factors like astrology, historical and statistical data, and wise intuition. Predictions for the whole year help people prepare for all eventual situations. People also watch the moon (Chandra Darshana) and enjoy religious discourses, which these days are possible with the help of television. Ugadi is also considered as an auspicious time to venture into new projects. Literary discussions, cultural programs, and recognition of poets, authors and artists through awards are also done during Ugadi celebrations. Another popular event people young and old participate is Kavi Sammelanam (poetry recitation) as it is a typical Telugu Ugadi feature. Many poets write and recite new poems on subjects ranging from Ugadi, politics, devotional, modern trends in life styles etc.

Entrances to the houses are decorated with fresh mango leaves and muggulu, a colorful rendering of artistic patterns (rangoli) reflecting native culture and life styles. On this auspicious day people go to temples, perform special pujas like abhishekam and homam, and chant mantras invoking peace and prosperity to the whole world. People get together with their close and far extended family members and enjoy sumptuous feast. Gifts are also exchanged with friends and relatives.

Ugadi is a joyous occasion for one and all. Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavanthu

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