Ugadi Festival - Gudi Padwa (Chaitra Navaratri First Day)

Ugadi is a South Indian New Year's Day festival, also known as Yugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Samvatsaraadi.

The name derives from the Sanskrit words "yuga" and "aadi," where "yuga" means either an era or period, and "aadi" signifies the beginning. In Karnataka, the festival is celebrated as Yugadi, while those from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana observe it as Ugadi. The Telugu community also refers to it as Samvatsaraadi, which translates to "beginning of a new year - samvatsara. " A highlight of this festival is the multiple-taste recipe known as Ugadi Pachadi.

 

The date of the festival is determined according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, marking the first day after the new moon that follows the March equinox.

The Telugu calendar is actually a cycle of 60 years, each year having a separate name. After 60 years, the years repeat again. This cycle can also be deemed an era, though the Ugadi festival is the celebration of the first day of each new year (not the cycle or era).

This same day is celebrated as Gudi Padwa by the people of Maharashtra, Goa, and Daman. 

Other names used for this day's festival in other regions are as follows:

• Nyepi: New year celebrated on this day by Hindus living in Bali, Indonesia.
• Sajibu Nongma Panba: Manipuri New Year celebration.
• Cheti Chand: New Year's day celebrated by Sindhi Hindus.
• Jamshedi Navroj: New Year's day for Iranian people.
• Chaitra Navaratri: Navaratri's first-day celebration by all Hindus.

Ugadi Festival

Ugaadi festival celebrates the first day of spring. Nature is filled with the fresh fragrances of flowers and leaves. The mango trees are lush with newly sprouting or half-mature mangoes. The neem trees are beautiful, adorned with white flowers and green leaves. Sugarcane crops are abundant all around.

These sceneries set the mood for the festivities. 

• People get up early on this day, take an oil bath, and wear new clothes.
• Homes are neatly washed/cleaned (or whitewashed and painted, if necessary).
• The entrance gates and doors are cleaned and decorated with toranams (tOraNams), mango leaves, flower garlands, etc.
• Colorful patterns and designs known as muggulu (kolam, rangoli, etc.) are drawn at the entrances using chalks and powders.
• A special recipe known as Ugadi Pachadi is prepared on this day and offered to God as naivedyam along with other offerings like fruits, paayasam, etc.
• Festive recipes include unique dishes like Bobbatlu, Pulihora, etc.
• Sugarcanes are enjoyed by children and people in their prime youth who can bite and chew them comfortably.

Ugadi Pachadi

Ugadi Pachadi (spelled as ugaadi pacchadi) is the most important recipe for celebrating the Ugadi Festival. This recipe is prepared by adding fresh neem flowers, raw mango, new tamarind, new jaggery, green chili, and salt. These items represent the six tastes and moods of life as mentioned below.

1. Neem flowers taste bitter (the related modd is sadness)
2. Mango is tangy (astringent) ( the relative mood is surprise)
3. Tamarind is sour (the related mood is disgust)
4. Jaggery is for sweetness (the related mood is happiness)
5. Green chili is for hotness (piquant) (the mood is anger)
6. Salt is salty (the corresponding mood is fear)

Ingredients for Ugadi Pachadi

• One raw mango of medium size
• Two to Three twigs of fresh neem flowers
• 25 to 30 grams of ripe tamarind (for extracting the pulp)
• 20 to 30 grams of Jaggery (cake or powder)
• Two ripe fruits of banana
• One or two green chilis
• Salt powder (approx. one-fourth spoon) 

Preparation Tips for Ugadi Pacchadi

1. Soak the tamarind in a cupful of water for 10 minutes and extract the pulp.
2. Remove the mango peels and cut it into small pieces. You may grate it if you like it that way.
3. Make small pieces of the bananas.
4. If you are using jaggery cake, it should be peeled into powder.
5. Slice the chili into thin pieces.
6. Collect the neem flowers carefully by detaching them from their twigs.
7. Now, mix all the above-readied ingredients and add salt as per requirements. Make it slightly dilute by adding some water (Similar to a thick soup).
8. The Ugadi Pacchadi is ready now for serve. 

This is how the Ugadi Festival is celebrated.

Now, I am providing some facts regarding Gudi Padwa, the New Year festival for Maharashtra people.

Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa celebrates Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, marking the end of his 14-year exile. People honor this event by hoisting the Gudi, a decorated bamboo pole adorned with vibrant fabrics, neem leaves, and a sugar garland, symbolizing victory and prosperity. Moreover, Gudi Padwa signals the beginning of the harvesting season, representing abundance and prosperity.

Some people link the celebration of Gudi Padwa to the emergence of the Shalivahana Calendar commemorating Emperor Shalivahana after he defeated the Huns, whereas others associate it with the day on which Brahma started creation.

Gudi Padwa Celebration

The major celebrations include the erection of a Gudi (A Flag-like construction), processions on streets towards temples, and worship of Brahma. It is believed that Lord Brahma is the creator of the Universe and the sense of Time. 

The Gudi is set up at homes by tying colorful sarees, dhotis, and other items (preferably green and orange to symbolize prosperity and victory) to a tall bamboo pole. Neem and mango leaves are wrapped around it. Garlands of flowers and sugar crystals adorn it. The Gudi is topped with an upturned silver or copper pot.

The Gudi is hoisted to the right of the house. The Gudi brings luck and drives away all negative effects as per their belief.

Devotees worship Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Sri Rama on this day. Special dishes are cooked and offered to God as Naivedyam. 

A dish of jaggery, neem flowers, and other ingredients is prepared on this day. They start their day with this dish before eating other items. They wear new clothes, go to temples, take processions of the Gudi, and enjoy the celebrations.

Sheetala Saptami and Ashtami Worship

Sheetala Saptami is the worship of Goddess Sheetala Maata to protect against Summer Diseases like heatstroke, smallpox, and chickenpox. She is believed to be the cooling and healing Goddess, especially for children. The word "sheetal" in Sanskrit means coolness. So, she is the bestower of Coolness and Relief from ailments.

This is (especially) a women's observance similar to the observances of Varalakshmi Vratam or Gauri Puja. So, you will find only the women and children around these worship places.

Generally, Sheetala Devi is worshiped by her devotees on any Tuesday that falls on the Saptami tithi or an Ashtami tithi of each month.

But the main worship in the form of a Festival takes place on the Seventh Day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha of each year and continues until the end of the Ashtami tithi. It is mostly observed by the people of northern and Western Indian States.

This year, Sheetala Saptami is celebrated on 21st March 2025. 

Sheetala worship involves purification, austerity, and meditation.

The devotees treat their Goddess as utterly pure and most powerful. So, they observe strict cleanliness.

• People get up early in the morning and clean their entire homes. Traditionally, they cleaned the floors and the entire compound of their residences with water mixed with cow dung.
• Take bath (preferably oil bath) and wear clean clothes.
• Sanctify the house with neem leaves and turmeric branches.
• Food used to be cooked on the previous night itself to avoid heating of the rooms.
• Sour and hot spices should be avoided when cooking. Only Saatvik food should be prepared and offered to the Goddess before eating.
• Sheetala Maa is worshipped observing a complete fast till evening hours.
• The entire day is spent meditating upon the Goddess, worshiping and offering prayers, etc. Some of the prayers include Shitala Ashtakam, Shitala Chalisa, and Aarati lyrics.
• You can break the fast on completion of the puja in the evening hours and eat the offered food after distributing to other family members and participants.
• Small children and older family members can be served food during the daytime, as they cannot remain without it.

The major points to keep in mind while observing this Sheetala worship are that you should keep complete faith in her healing powers, maintain utter cleanliness, abstain from spicy foods, keep your children clean and hygienic, apply tilak on their foreheads with the worshiped kumkuma of the Goddess and do not indulge in any other entertainments during the entire period of the observance of this fast.

People visit temples and fairs organized for this purpose in their localities after completion of the fast.

Goddess Saraswati Prayers and Mantras With Meanings

Mother Saraswati is the Goddess of Learning and Wisdom. People worship her to obtain her blessings and be bestowed with Intelligence and Education.

When a child is to be administered Aksharaabhyaasam (the ceremony of learning the first alphabet by a child), the child's parents worship Goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings for the child.

Again, when the child is to be admitted to school, this Goddess is worshiped along with Lord Ganesha.

On Basant Panchami day and during the Navaratri celebrations, we worship Saraswati and seek her blessings for the overall welfare and stability of our mental powers.

Now, I am providing some prayers and mantras of Mother Saraswati along with their meanings.

Saraswati Stuti Hymns

Here are two hymns glorifying the beauty and auspiciousness of Mother Saraswati. 

Yaa kundendu Tushaara

yaa kundEndu tushaara haara dhavaLaa yaa subhra vastrAvrutA

yaa veeNaa varadanda mandita karaa yaa svEta padmAsanA |

yaa brahmAchyuta shankara prabhutibhir dEvaih sadaa vanditA

saa maam paatu saraswatii bhagavatii nissheEsha jaadyApahA || (1)

In Sanskrit

या कुन्देन्दुतुषारहारधवला या शुभ्रवस्त्रावृता 

या वीणावरदण्डमण्डितकरा या श्वेतपद्मासना। 

या ब्रह्माच्युत शंकरप्रभृतिभिर्देवैः सदा वन्दिता 

सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेषजाड्यापहा॥

Meaning:

O, Mother Saraswati! You are fair like a jasmine-hued moon wearing a pure and white frosty, dew-filled garland and are engulfed in white clothes. Your hands bear the magnificent VeeNa and a boon bestower staff and your throne is a white Lotus. You are adored and revered by Lords like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva always. Such venerable Mother, please protect me and remove all my stupidity and ignorance.

neehaara hAra ghanasAra sudhAkarAbhAm

kalyANadAm kanaka champaka daama bhooshAm

uttunga peena kuchakumbha manOharAngim

vaaNii namaami manasA vachasA vibhootyai || (2) 

Sanskrit

नीहार हार घनसार सुधाकराभाम् 

कल्याणदाम् कनक चम्पक दाम भूषाम 

उततुङ्ग पीन कुचकुम्भ मनोहराङ्गिम् 

वाणीं नमामि मनसा वचसा विभूत्यैः ||

Meaning:-

O Mother Saraswati! You are cool and refreshing, like the fragrance of sandalwood, and your face shines like the light of the sun. You are auspicious and revered, adorned with a golden champak garland. You are beautiful-bodied, with an elevated chest and breasts. O Mother of Sound and Music, I prostrate before you with my pure mind, language, and soul.

 

Saraswati Prayer Slokas

Aksharaabhyaasam (Schooling-Time) Prayer

Saraswati namastubhyam vara dE kaamaroopiNi

vidyaarambham karishyaami siddhir bhavatu mE sadaa || (3)

In Sanskrit

सरस्वती नमस्तुभ्यम् वर दे कामरूपिणी 

विद्यारंभं करिष्यामि सिद्धिः भवतु मे सदा ||

Meaning:

O Mother Saraswati! My Salutations to You. Please bestow me with a boon. I am going to begin my studies. Wish me an ever-lasting success in my endeavor.

Saraswati, mahaabhAgE, vidyE, kamala lOchanE,

vidyAroopE, vishAlAkshi, vidyAm dEhi namOstutE|| (4)   

In Sanskrit

सरस्वती महाभागे विद्ये कमल लोचने 

विद्यारूपे विशालाक्षि विद्यां देहि नमोस्तुते ||

Meaning:

O Saraswati, Auspicious One; you are the Knowledge, your eyes resemble lotus petals, you are the personification of all knowledge and education; O Large-Eyed One, gift me Knowledge, I am prostrating before you.

Om Saraswati, mayaa drushtvaa veeNaa-pushtak dhAriNeem,

hansvAhini samAyuktaa, maam vidyAdAn karOtu mE, Om|| (5)

In Sanskrit

ॐ सरस्वती मया दृष्ट्वा वीणा-पुस्तक धारिणीम् 

हन्सवाहिनी समायुक्ता माम् विद्यादान करोतु में ॐ ||

Meaning:

Mother Saraswati! Grace upon me, You who bears the musical instrument Veena and a Book; riding upon the Swan(hansa), please bestow me with the boon of Knowledge.

Saraswati Mantras (Meditation Slokas)

Om Aing saraswatyai namaha || (1)

In Sanskrit

ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः ||

In the above mantra, Om and Aing are two primordial sounds for meditation. 

yaa dEvi sarvabhootEshu vidyAroopENa samsthitaa

namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namO namaha || (2)

In Sanskrit

या देवि सर्वभूतेषु विद्यारूपेण संस्थिता 

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः || 

Meaning:

You, Goddess, are present in all living beings in the form of knowledge!

I offer my salutations to you again and again.

Out of these two mantras, the first one is generally for meditating purposes repeating the line 108 times.

The second sloka is recited lyrically while meditating on the Goddess for a certain number of times.

Lord Shiva Worship Prayers - Lingaashtakam Lyrics With Meanings

Lingaashtakam is recited in the worship of Shiva Linga. It was composed by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya and contains eight hymns, so it is called Ashtakam.   

Shivling is a symbol of consciousness and bliss. It represents ascending energy and light and refers to the union of matter with consciousness.

There is a mythological story that refers to a quarrel between Brahma and Vishnu over who is superior. To resolve their conflict, Lord Shiva created the Shivling and challenged them to find the beginning and end points. It began growing from the netherworld to the sky within moments. Brahma flew into the sky to locate its tip, while Vishnu dived into the ocean to discover its bottom point. Neither of them could find the end. While Vishnu conceded defeat, Brahma was arrogant and falsely claimed to have found the uppermost point. Shiva cursed Brahma, declaring that no one would worship him from that day onward. Later, Brahma sought forgiveness, and Vishnu requested Shiva to pardon him. Thus, Shiva forgave Brahma. Vishnu and Brahma, along with other celestial beings, worshiped the Shivlinga for the first time. That is how the Shivalinga came into being, and the practice of its worship followed from then on.

Now, I am providing the lyrics of Lingashtakam and their meanings.

The capital letters "A," "O," and "E" indicate the length of the syllables where I used them.

Lingaashtakam Lyrics

brahma-muraari suraarchita lingam

nirmala bhaasita shObhita lingam

janmaja dukha vinaashaka lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (1)

Meaning:-

That shivling worshiped by Brahma, Vishnu (the slayer of the demon Mura), and all angels; that which appears pure, holy, and resplendent; that which dispels the miseries acquired even from previous births: I offer my obeisance to that Sadaashiva Lingam.

dEvamuni pravarArchita lingam

kAma dahana karuNAkara lingam

rAvaNa darpa vinAshana lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (2)

Meaning:-

That which gets worshiped with flowers and kumkuma by angels, munis, and brahmins; that which destroys desires and generates compassion and gentleness; that which destroyed the pride and arrogance of Ravana; I offer my obeisance to that sadashiva Lingam.

sarva sugandhi sulEpita lingam

buddhi vivardhana kAraNa lingam

siddha surAsura vandita lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (3)

Meaning:-

That which gets adored with coats of sandal and other fragrant pastes; that which is the seed for growth of wisdom; that which gets revered by enlighten ascetics, sages, and the angels and demons equally; I offer my obeisance to that sadashiva Lingam.

kanaka mahAmaNi bhooshita lingam

phaNi parivEshtita shObhita lingam

dakshasu yajna vinAshana lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (4)

Meaning:-

That Linga which is decorated with gold and diamond jewelry; which shines on being encircled by the serpent king (Vaasuki); that which destroyed the yajna of Daksha {rajapati; I offer my obeisance to that sadashiva Lingam.

kumkuma chandana lEpita lingam

pankaja haara sushObhita lingam

sanchita paapa vinAshana lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (5)

Meaning:-

That Linga which gets worshiped with the paste of kumkuma and chandana, that shines beautifully adorned with lotus garlands, that eradicates accumulated sins; I offer my obeisance to that Sadashiva Lingam. 

dEvagaNArchita sEvita lingam

bhAvairbhakti bhirEvacha lingam

dinakara kOti prabhAkara lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (6)

Meaning:-

That Lingam which is attended by angels, gaNas, and others; that which ignites devotion and emotions, that which spreads radiance similar to that of one crore Suns; I offer my obeisance to that Sadashiva Lingam.

ashtadaLO parivEshtita lingam

sarva samudbhava kAraNa lingam

ashta daridra vinAshana lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (7)

Meaning:-

That which is surrounded by the eight petals (or the eight directions); that which is the reason for all this creation; that which destroys the eight poverties; I offer my obeisance to that sadashiva Lingam.

The Eight Poverties are as follows:

The lack of Food, Clothes, Shelter (home), Wealth (cash, etc.), Education (wisdom), Children (offspring), Friends and Relatives, and Land.

suraguru suravara poojita lingam

suravana pushpa sadArchita lingam

paramapadam paramAtmaka lingam

tat praNamaami sadaashiva lingam || (8)

Meaning:-

That Lingam which is worshiped by the angels, their Guru Brihaspati, and all eminent beings; gets daily worshiped through the offerings of flowers from the Garden of Angels; that which bestows eternal bliss; I offer my obeisance to that Sadashiva Lingam.

Phala Shruti

lingAshtakamidam puNyam

yah paThet sivasannidhou

sivalOka mavApnOti

shivEna sahamOdatE ||

Meaning:-

This is the holy and divine Lingaashtakam. Whoever recites it daily in the presence of Lord Shiva reaches His abode and enjoys a blissful reunion with Him. 

iti lingaashtakam sampoorNam

(Here ends the Lingaashtakam)

Om namO shri shivapArvatayE namah ||

Dhanurmasam | Tiruppavai | Pongal Month

Thiruppavai means penance/ pious observance that includes fasting and prayers for achieving something good.

The word "Thiru" translates to holy. The word "Pavai" refers to the rituals performed by unmarried girls to God to uphold a vow. Pavai is also a genre. It is the melodious singing of songs by the devotee to please God.

One popular religious observance kept by people of Southern India is the Dhanurmasam month, also known as the Pongal Month. During this month, devotees sing Thiruppavai hymns, one each per day, for 30 days and offer the Pongal as Naivedyam to Lord Krishna/ Lord Ranganatha Swamy.

Dhanurmasam is the name of a solar calendar month that falls between the 15/16th of December to 14/15 th of January. It is the Sagittarius month. It is also known as "Margazhi" month in the Tamil Calendar.

Pongal is a recipe prepared during this month by the devotees with rice and split moon dal (cooked well in steam) and then topped with pepper, ginger, cashew nuts, cumin, etc. This Pongal is offered to God as naivedyam after the worship during these 30 days. So, it is known as Pongal Month also.

Now, coming to Tiruppavai, the original ritual was performed by a saint known as Goda Devi to uphold her wish to marry God. She is a Tamil saint born in Sri Villiputtur, Tamil Nadu, in the 8th century CE. She was a priest's daughter and naturally was attached to God from her childhood. She loved her God so dearly that she vowed to marry Him only and performed the ritual of worshiping God in the form of Krishna assuming herself as a cowherd. She created verses, one each per day for 30 days, and sang them melodiously with pure devotion abstaining from all worldly desires. She invited other maids from her village also to join in her worship. She offered flower garlands after testing them herself to assure herself they were fresh and good. In the end, she got married to the Temple God Ranganatha Swamy in Sri Rangam as per the wish of God (who appeared in a dream to her father and ordered him to do so) and transformed into an idol beside him in that temple.

From that period onwards, the devotees started to perform this ritual during the same period every year worshiping Goda Devi as Andal (or as Ranganayaki Taayar) and Lord Ranganatha Swamy.

During this period, we worship Vishnu in the form of Sri Ranganatha Swamy or Krishna and Lakshmi as Andal or vice versa. Each day, we chant one Pasuram from Tiruppavai (chronologically) and offer Pongal as naivedyam to God after the worship. It culminates on the final day as Makar Sankranti.

Tiruppavai Essence

Thiruppavai is a profound expression of Vedic knowledge, summarized in 30 hymns. On the surface, it involves the performance of rituals through the chanting of hymns and observing fasts to attain material benefits, such as enjoying a feast with Krishna or receiving a small drum-like instrument from Him. However, if you delve deeper, you will discover the true treasure: a transcendental spiritual reunion with God. It requires a lot of deep meditation into the meanings of each hymn.

For the time being, I am providing the general layman's perception of the significance of Tiruppavai.

Tiruppavai contains 30 hymns which are to be recited daily during the month of Margazhi (Dhanurmasam) with true devotion to God for attaining some spiritual benefits. It was performed by Andal, a divine saint, more than a millennium ago to marry Lord Krishna (replicating the ritual performed by Radha and other Gopis during the Dwaparayuga). So, if we observe this ritual, we too can attain a reunion with God.

The first five hymns of the Tiruppavai introduce the main theme of the ritual. They emphasize the importance of maintaining purity in both body and mind and of abstaining from all material pleasures during the Margazhi season. Devotees are encouraged to focus on the virtues of God and to sing songs that glorify Him. Offering flowers to God is also an important practice. By engaging in these actions, the sins from both our past and present lives can be eradicated through God's grace. Ultimately, He will grant us the Parai, which represents the eternal blissful reunion with Him.

In the next ten hymns (hymns 6 to 15), Andal emphasizes the awakening of her friends, encouraging them to take a purifying bath, wear clean clothes, gather flowers, and perform the ritual together so that everyone can benefit from it. She inspires each gopika by reminding them of their inherent virtues and urges them to leave their homes to participate in the ritual and enjoy its spiritual rewards. 

 

Andal describes the natural daily life and activities occurring in the surroundings, such as the blossoming flowers, the chirping of birds, the churning of milk, the ringing bells around the necks of the cattle, the echoes of temple bells, and the melodious tunes sung by the sages visiting the temple. She points out to her companions that all of these elements are signs of the approaching dawn and the time for worship.

Hymns 16 to 20 describe her visit to the temple. The temple in this case is supposed to be that of Lord Krishna's house. She approaches the gate along with her companions and requests the guards to open the gates as she, along with her friends, likes to sing the awakening songs to Lord Krishna. She awakens Krishna's father and mother, and brother Balarama along with Krishna. But, She needed to awaken Niladevi before Krishna. So, she awakens her in the stanzas 18 to 20.

The last nine Pasurams (21 to 29) deal with the glorification of Krishna's virtues. In  the 27th pasuram, Goda Devi enlists her desires to feast with him. The 28th and 29th Pasurams describe her ignorance and her surrendrance before Him.

The 30th hymn is a concluding envoie attesting herself as the daughter of the temple priest, Vishnu Chitta, and the assertion that whoever sings these 30 hymns with pure devotion to God will attain Krishna's grace. 

For Tiruppavai Pasurams (with full meanings), you may go to this link and read the hymn you want.

For Makar Sankranthi celebrations (and 4-Day Pongal festivities), you may like to view this post.