Ugadi Celebrations in the Southern Part of India
The southern states of India celebrate the start of their traditional new year today. They are as follows:
Ugadi is observed and celebrated in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Gudi Padava is observed and celebrated in Maharastra.
The Festival
Ugadi closely follows Holi festival. As the sparkling bright colors of Holi fades away, the start of spring is indicated by Ugadi. Ugadi indicates start of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in Moons' orbit. The very significant feature of the festival is the reading of almanac in a nearby temple by an elderly scholar called Panchanga Sravanam. Nowadays, with the advent of Satellite and Cable Television technologies, these are brought right into the drawing room of the people.
Ugadi also marks the season for start of mangoes spreading its aroma into the atmosphere. Along with it, the Ugadi Patchadi is a very sacred and common dish that is most relished by people in Southern Part of India. Ugadi Patchadi is made up of jaggery, mango pieces, neem flowers and new tamarind. The mixture of these conflicting tastes is to indicate a combination of sweet, sour and bitter tastes.
Ugadi also indicates observation of Kavi Sammelanam or this is also called as Poetry Contests. This is actually to support and patronize budding poets and existing poets towards their encouragement.
Let us wish our Telegu/Karnataka fraternity a "Very Happy Ugadi" and wish our Maharastra fraternity, a "Very Happy Gudi Padawa".
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