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.
- Neem flowers taste bitter (the related modd is sadness)
- Mango is tangy (astringent) ( the relative mood is surprise)
- Tamarind is sour (the related mood is disgust)
- Jaggery is for sweetness (the related mood is happiness)
- Green chili is for hotness (piquant) (the mood is anger)
- 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
- Soak the tamarind in a cupful of water for 10 minutes and extract the pulp.
- Remove the mango peels and cut it into small pieces. You may grate it if you like it that way.
- Make small pieces of the bananas.
- If you are using jaggery cake, it should be peeled into powder.
- Slice the chili into thin pieces.
- Collect the neem flowers carefully by detaching them from their twigs.
- 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).
- 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.
