Ugadi or Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of New Year in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. This festival is known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It has become a custom to hold Kavi Sammelans (Poetry recitals) on this day. Gudi Padwa is considered one of the foremost auspicious day in the year when people start new ventures. It is believed that Lord Brahma, created the world on this day and so he is worshiped especially at this time. Lord Vishnu too is said to have incarnated as Matsya, the fish, on this day. A gudi (banner) with a swastika -marked metal pot and silk cloth is raised to announce victory and joy. In Maharashtra, it is reminiscent of the valiant Marathas returning home from their successful expeditions of war. Maharashtrians take the opportunity to honour their favourite leader, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion. On the festival day, people decorate their houses with mango leaves and ‘rangoli’ designs, and pray for a prosperous new year. They visit the temples to see the yearly calendar ‘Panchangasravanam’ as priests make predictions for the upcoming year. It is a tradition to serve bitter leaves of neem tree with jaggery as Prasad on Ugadi/Gudi Padwa. Gudi Padwa is considered as an auspicious occasion to make investments like buying a house, jewellery and other new things. The festival is celebrated when the summers begin and the time for harvesting the crop arrives. The fragrance of ripening mangoes, jackfruit and other seasonal fruits fill the air with sweet smell. Gudi Padwa, also known as Ugadi, is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra shukla Padyami, which corresponds to end of March or beginning of April according to the Gregorian calendar. This festival marks the beginning of ‘Vasant’ or spring as well. The word ‘padwa’ is a Sanskrit word for crop, which literally means ‘Pradurbhu.’ This day also marks the end of one harvest and the beginning of a new one, which for an agricultural community would signify the beginning of a New Year. Gudi Padwa is celebrated at the end of the Rabi season. Indian society is largely dependent on agriculture and that is the reason that harvests are celebrated with much fun and frolic in the country.
Ugadi celebration
Ugadi Celebrations in India
Andhra Pradesh
The day is dedicated to Lord Brahma, the great creator of the world who
began creation on this very day. It is also a belief among Hindus that
Lord Vishnu incarnated in Matsya avatar on this day. As one of the major
festivals of Andhra Pradesh, it gathers huge attention of public as
well as the media. Celebration includes cleaning of house and
surrounding, decorating entrances with green mango leaves, buying new
clothes for family and various other rituals. They wake up early morning
and use Sesame oil to massage their head and body, post which they take
head wash and visit temples to offer their prayers. People make
delicious dishes on this day which they share with their loved ones.
Some places like Telangana celebrate the festival for three days.
Karnataka
The day marks the beginning of the New Year and is considered to bring
new hopes and happiness in life. At this auspicious occasion of
commencement of spring, people make garlands of sweet scented Jasmine
and offer them to God. They visit temples and offer prayers with
sincerity while priests chant various mantras, developing spiritual
aroma in surroundings. People whitewash their homes and decorate them
with fresh mango leaves and flowers and they also practice the ritual of
placing Kalasha beside their doors with coconut leave on it. For peace
and harmony of their homes, they sprinkle cow dung water in front of
their homes and make attractive Rangolis. Delicious dishes including
Ugadi Pachchadi, Puliogure and Holidge are prepared for this occasion.
At many places Bhakti songs and Kavi Sammelan are also held to give a
platform to new blood so that they can reflect their literature and
culture.
Maharashtra
Ugadi is famous as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, where it is believed that
new ventures started on this day or purchases made give fruitful
results. In Maharashtra, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is remembered on
this day, so the day is seen as one depicting valiant Marathas who
return home after a glorious victory in war. They raise swastika marked
metal pot tied with a silk cloth which exhibits their victory and joy
after successful expeditions in war.
On this day, after washing and cleaning their home, people decorate it
with fresh green mango leaves and rangolis. They visit temples to offer
prayers and distribute bitter Neem leaves as Prasad.
Sindhis
The day is known as ‘Cheti Chand’ among Sindhi people and it is seen as
the birthday of Water God, (Varun devta) Sai Uderolal or Jhulelal. He is
considered to appear on material earth to protect Sindhis from
dictatorship of a ruler and saved Sindhi culture and Hinduism. The day
is celebrated by worshipping water gods – Lord Jhulelal and Behrano
Sahib; Chej, the folk dance of Sindhis is also performed on this day.
Manipur
Manipur knows Ugadi by ‘Sajibu Cheiraoba’, where ‘Sajibu’ refers to
first of all the six seasons that make a year and ‘Cheiraoba’ means end
of a year leading to beginning of another. Hence, the spirit and motive
behind the celebration is same in Manipur as in other states, only the
way of celebration and the name of festival differ.
On the day of Sajibu Cheiraoba, Manipuri people start rituals very early
in the morning. Women of the house prepare Athelpot with the help of
fine whole rice, raw vegetables, flowers and fruits of new season which
is meant for offering to Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Ima Sidabi
placed on southwest and middle north corner of the house respectively.
Post prayers, food is cooked and offered to God spirits Hanu-Kokchao and
Hanu Leikham with a prayer to protect the well-being of their house. At
the fire place, Emoinu Ima is offered food in round-cut plantain leaves
to defend the family from sorrows in the coming year. After rituals and
prayers, whole family dines together, while married people visit their
parents; this way the festival serves in strengthening the bonds in
family.
Ugadi Sms
Unnaavu naa madilo ganaala pallakigaa… alasina prati ghadiyalanu dooram chestavuga…. idi chaalu vasantama..idi naaku chaalamaa… Happy ugadi.
Kokilammala kuthalatho Mavikommala puthalatho Vachindi ugadi Neeku techenduku santhoshala nidhi Ugadi shubakanshalu
Sweet n Sour
Here im Wishing you Luck
in Every aspect of life
This Gudi Padwa and always
Khushian ho overflow Masti kabhi na ho low Dosti ka surur chaya rahe Dhan aur Shorat ki ho bauchar aisa aye apke liye Gudi Padva ka tyohar!
Memories of moments celebrated together… Moments that have been attached in my heart forever… Make me Miss You even more this Ugadi. Hope this Ugadi brings in Good Fortune & Abounding Happiness for you! Happy Ugadi
