Ugadi is an important festival in the Hindu tradition, especially for Telugu people. It marks the beginning of the Telugu New Year. Ugadi is the first festival celebrated by Telugu and Kannada people.
The word Ugadi comes from the Sanskrit words “Yuga” (meaning era) and “Adi” (meaning beginning), which together mean “the beginning of a new era.”
Ugadi falls on the first day of Chaitra Masa (month) Shuddha Padyami, and this year, it was celebrated on March 30 according to the English calendar. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that on Ugadi, Brahma, the creator, began creation.
Like many other Hindu festivals, Ugadi is connected to changes in nature. It marks the arrival of spring, when nature starts to look fresh with new buds and flowers. The festival also symbolizes new beginnings.
Ugadi is considered a great time to do good deeds and start new businesses. People celebrate by decorating their homes with flowers and new mango leaves, wearing new clothes, and preparing delicious dishes.
Things to do on Ugadi:
- Tailabhyangana Snan (Head Bath): It is a tradition to bathe with sesame oil before sunrise on Ugadi day. It is believed to bring physical purity and mental peace. If possible, taking a bath in a river is considered very auspicious.
- Home Decoration: Since Ugadi is the first festival of the Telugu New Year, it is customary to decorate the house with mango leaves and flowers. Rangavallikas (decorative designs) are placed in front of the house, symbolizing wealth and health.
- New Clothes: All family members wear new clothes and take part in the festival celebrations.
- Special Pujas: Special worship is performed for deities such as Ganapati, Lakshmi Narayana, Uma Maheshwara, and Brahma on Ugadi. The Ashtottara for each deity are recited during the puja. On Ugadi day, one should worship Damanena, which is a fragrant leaf. From Ugadi until the full moon, a deity should be worshipped with great devotion. On Chaitra Shukla Padyami, Brahma is worshipped; on Vidiya, Shiva; on Thadiya, Gauri Shankar; and on Chaturthi, Vinayaka. This continues until the full moon.
- Ugadi Pachadi: A special dish made on Ugadi is Ugadi Pachadi (Ugadi Chutney). It is a mix of six flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, tangy, and salty. Ingredients like jaggery, tamarind, neem flowers, chili powder, raw mango and salt are used. These six flavors symbolize six life experiences: happiness, sadness, anger, excitement, patience, and challenges.
- Dishes: Along with Ugadi Pachadi, delicious dishes like pulihora, bobbatlu, boorelu, and semiya payasam are prepared.
- Temple Visit: Visiting a temple on Ugadi is considered very auspicious. On this day, people seek God’s blessings and special pujas are performed to mark the Telugu New Year.
- Panchanga Shravanam (Almanac): Another important tradition on Ugadi is Panchanga Shravanam (Listening to the almanac). It takes place in temples and public places, either in the morning or evening. During this time, the priests read out the predictions and results for the year based on the horoscope.
- Cultural Programs: Ugadi is a time of joy and excitement. In many places, along with Panchanga Shravanam, cultural programs like poetry sessions and music concerts are organized. People come together to celebrate with games, songs, and dances.
- Donation: Festivals are all about spreading joy. On Ugadi, it’s a tradition to donate as much as you can to those in need. By sharing with others, you bring happiness to their lives, and it will make you feel even happier.
Things to avoid:
Anger, disputes: The first day of the year should be spent as happily and peacefully as possible. Anger, disputes, etc. should be avoided.
Taking loans: Some believe that one should not take new loans or lend money on this auspicious day.
Non-vegetarian food: Traditionally, only vegetarian food should be consumed on Ugadi. Eating non-vegetarian food is considered taboo.
Finally, Ugadi is not only just a festival but also a philosophical message that reminds us of the balance in life. Like the taste of Ugadi Pachadi, this festival teaches us that there are both joys and sorrows in life and that we should accept them equally.
Special Pujas and Cultural Programs at Hari Hara Kshethram, Austin:
Ugadi is an important festival for Telugu people, and to celebrate it, the Hari Hara Kshethram in Austin is hosting special events for those who have moved from their hometowns and settled in USA.
On Ugadi, there will be special programs at the Hari Hara Kshethram temple. Special Pujas will be performed for deities such as Shiva, Venkateswara Swamy, Ayyappa, Ganapathi, and other gods in the temple. The priest will recite the almanac.
In addition, the Austin Event Center will organize games, songs, and various celebrations to mark Ugadi. Celebrities will be joining to the celebrations. It will be a wonderful event for everyone who wants to enjoy Ugadi with others in a joyful way. The Austin Event Center warmly invites all residents of Austin to join in the Ugadi festivities.
On behalf of Hari Hara Kshethram, we wish everyone a very happy Ugadi, the start of the Telugu New Year! We hope this new year brings happiness, peace, and prosperity to all.
