Hyderabad, April 04: From the beautiful mango leaves that adorn the house to the Ugadi Pachadi, this festival brings in joy and promise of growth and prosperity. “Traditionally, the festival is marked with reading the panchangam (yearly calendar). Elders in the family would often tell me that people used to go to the temples or visit a priest to listen to the yearly calender. But things have changed now. It is not blind faith in the stars. It was a tradition which was followed,” says Aruna Suman, a city-based gynaecologist, adding “There is, of course, a ritualistic worship that we also do.” Ugadi is celebrated the festival with great gaiety and fervour. “It sort of gives you a new hope. It is a new beginning,” says Aruna with a smile.
Along with Pulihora, Garelu, Payasam, Bobbatlu and other traditional sweets, it is the Ugadi Pachchadi, a dish prepared with jaggery, raw mangoes, neem flowers and raw tamarind, that epitomises the spirit of the festival. “It has a mixture of six different types of flavours. The dish is sweet, sour, salty, bitter all at the same time and tastes delicious. And that is how life is,” says Aruna. Each ingredient in the dish symbolizes each experience of life that one goes through. “There are scientific reasons behind usage of each ingredient but for me it teaches you equanimity in both happiness and sorrow,” adds Aruna philosophically.
In addition to the recitation of almanac (Panchanga Shravana), there are several literary events that are held to mark the auspicious occasion. “Usually, carnatic music programmes and literary festivals such as Kavi Sammelanams are held. But we hardly get the time to attend any of such events but it is heartening to see that noted poets and writers are awarded in several cultural programmes during this festival,” says Aruna.
It is also a time for bonding with family. “It is one time when my immediate family and relatives come together and we have a wonderful time together. We hope and pray that we have a good year ahead but like I said, it is not just happiness. Life is not that simple,”concludes Aruna.
Back home from college
Anreddy Sowmya, a final year B.tech student is very happy to be back home this year to celebrate Ugadi with her family and relatives. “I live in a hostel, which makes it difficult for me to spend time with my family on various festivals,” expresses Sowmya on a sad note, adding, “But, this year being my final year in college, I was able to come back home for Ugadi.”
Sowmya and her small family, that consists of her parents and an elder sister, believe in celebrating this festival in the most authentic way possible — by preparing and offering to God the Ugadi pacchadi and sweets, the family plans to begin their new year on a sweet note.
Post which they have arranged for a pandit to come to their home, who will read out loud the Ugadi Panchangam.
“Our family usually asks a pandit to come home to read the Panchangam out loud, who also tells us how the coming year would turn out as per our zodiac signs,” explains Sowmya, who is excited about the same, concluding, “I am also looking forward to meeting all my relatives after a long time.”
Keeping the tradition alive
M Swarnamukhi, a home-maker and a TV show host, is all set to celebrate Ugadi with her family members. She’s been working religiously towards the preparations to welcome their new year with open arms. “Ugadi is our new year — it is about tradition,” explains Swarnamukhi, continuing, “Our day begins early, before sunrise, and everyone is dressed up in traditional outfits unlike Diwali or Dassara.” Their home was speaking all green, since most of it was decorated with neem and mango leaves. “Our family celebrates Ugadi in the most traditional way. It is traditional in every way — right from the decorations, to dressing and even the food,” she expresses. Where everyone talks about the ritual behind Ugadi Pacchadi, Swarnamukhi believes in talking science.
“This day is also recognised as a change of weather — from winter to summer. A change in weather usuallly causes various infections and the contents of this Pacchadi increase the resistance against such infections,” she explains, continuing, “We visit various relatives and share this pacchadi with them as well.”
After all the merr-making, their family will spend the evening visiting temples, she says. Emphasising on the significance of this day, Swarnamukhi further adds, “This is our new year, so, if any major decisions are to be taken, we finalise them on this day. Also, just like how people make new year resolutions on January 1, we make those resolutions on Ugadi.”
–Agencies