UGADI Festival in India and Ugadi Pachadi for 2016
Ugadi 2016 Date
When: 8th April, 2016
Where: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, etc...
What is Ugadi
The term Ugadi or Yugadi is taken from the Sanskrit language where 'Yuga' stands for 'age' and the word 'Adi' means 'beginning'. So, the entire word Ugadi means, 'a new age beginning'. When Ugadi arrives, the fragrance of jasmine flowers can be felt everywhere. These flowers are then used for worshiping God during the Ugadi Puja. It is also said that Lord Brahma started creating universe on this day, hence it is called Ugadi.
Looking for when is Ugadi (ఉగాది, ಯುಗಾದಿ) in 2016?
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| Happy Ugadi 2016 - from BetterSocietyBlog |
If yes, you have come to the right place. Ugadi (ఉగాది, ಯುಗಾದಿ) in 2016 will be observed on Friday, 8th April. As per Hindu Calender, the festival of Ugadi (ఉగాది, ಯುಗಾದಿ) falls on first day of Chaitra month. Ugadi (ఉగాది, ಯುಗಾದಿ), also known as ‘Yugadi’, is a Hindu festival which is usually observed in the month of March or April. However, Ugadi (ఉగాది, ಯುಗಾದಿ) in 2016 will be observed on Friday, 8th April.
In USA, Canada and UK, it is marked on April 7. In Australia, Malaysia and Singapore it is on April 8. Ugadi (yuga and adi) means beginning of an astronomical cycle. It is also the first day of Chaitra, the first month of the traditional Hindu calendar followed in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Ugadi is also known as Chadramana Ugadi or Chandramana Varsha Thodaku or Vatsara Arambha.
Predictions for the year
The festival of Ugadi heralds the start of a New Year in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In both states the festival is locally referred to as Telugu Panchang and Kannada Panchang, respectively. Ugadi comes from two words, 'Yuga' meaning 'era', and 'aadi' means 'the beginning’. People of Maharashtra also observe the same day as ‘Gudi Padwa’ as Baisakhi in Punjab, as Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, as Vishu in Kerala, Bohag Bihu in Assam and as Cheti Chand by the Sindhi community. Ugadi is believed to be the day when Brahma - the Creator, in the Hindu Trinity - formed the universe. It’s also the time when winter is on its way out, and spring’s round the corner, so the concept of new life and a new year is really very appropriate for Ugadi festival. The first day of the month Chaitra signifies Hindu New Year day
Preparations for the festival
Preparations for the festival begin a week ahead. Houses are given a thorough wash. Shopping for new clothes and buying other items that go with the requirements of the festival are done with a lot of excitement. On Ugadi day, people wake up before the break of dawn and take a head bath. The bath is supposedly to be taken after massaging the entire body using sesame oil.
Ugadi Pooja (Prayer)
The festoons of mango Leaves(torana) are tied to the doors and the houses are decorated with fresh flowers. and coconuts (as in a Kalasam, to initiate any pooja) only on auspicious occasions to propitiate gods. People also splash fresh cow dung water on the ground in front of their house and draw colourful floral designs.There is a special 'Chutney' called Ugadi pachadi that is made during the Ugadi festival which is kept in an earthen pot before the idol of the house. Thereafter, puja is performed and everyone takes the share of the chutney and go for feasts and meals together.
Ugadi Festival Food (Ugadi Pachadi )
Special Delicacies ‘Ugadi Pacchadi’ is the traditional Ugadi recipe prepared by the people of Andhra Pradesh. It is a mixture of six tastes - Neem (bitter), Raw Mango (tangy), Tamarind Juice (sour), Green Chilli/Pepper (heat), Jaggery and ripe banana pieces (sweet), pinch of salt, which symbolize life as a blend of different experiences (sorrow, joy, anger, fear, disgust, surprise), which should be accepted together. The same is known as ‘Bevu Bella’ in Karnataka.
Sometimes, only neem leaves and jaggery are eaten and they signify sorrow and joy in life.
It is said that the dish is made by mixing six ingredients. Mixing different ingredients in one dish means that life is also a mixture of so many things altogether, and one has to accept every taste of life. The dish made on this day is the first one to be taken on this day as a food.
The ingredients that are mixed in this dish indicate the tastes of life. Following are the ingredients and their relation to the phases of life:
1. Neem Buds: They indicate sadness of life, as they are bitter in taste.
2. Salt:It indicates the salty moments of life.
3. Jaggery:It indicates sweet and happy moments of life.
4. Chilli or pepper: It indicates temperament and aggressive face of life.
5. Unripened mango: It indicates tanginess in life.
6. Tamarind extract: It indicates the sourness of life.
Ugadi Festival 2016: Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh
The state of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the South India celebrates New Year as Ugadi or Yugadi. Ugadi in 2016 is on March 21, Monday. Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. As per beliefs, it is on this day that Lord Brahma created the seven worlds. As such, it is a new beginning for one and all. It is considered very auspicious to get the yearly predictionsread out on this day. This event, which is called 'Panchanga Sravanam' is read out by the priests to the public. Along with this, homes are cleaned, Rangolis are made, new clothes are worn and sweets are exchanged with friends and family to welcome the Hindu New Year. It is believed that hanging the mango leaves on the entrance of the main door is also auspicious. A special sweet called Obbattu or Holige is prepared on this special day.
I wish you a very happy new year(Ugadi) for you and your family members and friends
Author
Balaji Gollapalli
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