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Ugadi is
celebrated with festive fervor in Karnataka, Maharashtra and
Andhra Pradesh. While it is called Ugadi in A.P. and
Karnataka, in Maharashtra it is known as Gudipadawa.
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar. It
is a day when mantras are chanted and predictions made for
the new year. The most important thing in the festival is
Panchanga Shravanam - hearing of the Panchanga. The
Panchanga Shravanam is done at the temples by the priests.
Before reading out the annual forecasts as predicted in the
Panchanga, the officiating priest reminds the participants
of the creator - Brahma, and the span of creation of the
universe. |
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The reading of the Panchanga
then involves reading of other Tidhis (wealth and
prosperity) during the year and ends with h a forecast for
various sectors of the social life and the strengths and
effects of various constellations and their transitions. The
scriptures state that the benefits reaped by the listener as
well as the reader, are equivalent to having a dip in the
holy river Ganges. The individuals hearing the Panchanga
should respectfully 'thank' the reader and offer him new
clothes and seek his blessings.
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.
The next step is offer prayers to Sun, before accepting
Vepapoota Pachadi (Neem Flower Pickle) on an empty stomach.
Entrance of the houses are decorated with fresh mango
leaves. It is noteworthy that we use mango leaves 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. This is a common sight in
every household. People perform the ritualistic worship to
God invoking his blessings before they start off with the
new year.
In Andhra Pradesh, eatables such as pulihora, bobbatlu and
preparations made with raw mango go well with the occasion.
In Karnataka too, similar preparations are made but called
puliogure and holige.
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