Ugadi / Gudi Padva - former celebrated by the people of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana and the later celebrated by the people of Maharashtra and Goa - falls on the first day of the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar. Ugadi, or Yugadi is derived from two Sanskrit words ‘Yuga’ meaning ‘age’ and ‘adi’ meaning ‘beginning’. Ugadi, therefore, marks commencement of a new Hindu Lunar Calendar with a change in the moons orbit. It is believed that Ugadi, which usually falls in the last quarter of March or first half of April of the Gregorian Calendar, marks the beginning or the first day of the new age and this year, according to the Hindu Panchang, Ugadi will be celebrated on this day, 9 April, 2024.
Legend has it that Bhagwan Brahma (one of the three main Gods in the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshvara ) created Brahmand (Universe) on this day. Then came the Yuga, which was created by Lord Vishnu. Yugaadikrit is one of the many names of Lord Vishnu, which means the creator of ages or Yuga. Therefore, on this day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu - the creator of Yuga or ages. For the people living in the Deccan region, Ugadi is an important day, besides its spiritual significance, it also marks the arrival of the spring season. The day begins with the morning bath (shower) where neem leaves are mixed in water. Neem is also used in preparation of one of the special sweet recipes, which is prepared using Bevu ( neem flowers) Bella (jaggery), raw mangoes and dry fruits.
I remember that my sister used to prepare this mouth watering delicious dish to celebrate the festival of Ugadi. This sweet dish - very popular in north Karnataka the region to which I belong - prepared to mark the occasion of Ugadi, uses an ingredient mixture of sweet, bitter and pungent. This dish symbolises that life is a mixture of happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear and surprise and that we must be prepared to face it all. The Sweet taste comes from jaggery that is used in abundance and this ingredient symbolises sweetness of life or happiness. Astringent or pungent taste comes from raw mangoes or tamarind, this symbolises that life is full of surprises which come our way and we should be prepared to face them. Then comes the bitter taste that is derived from neem flowers, which represent sorrow which too is an integral part of all our lives. This special dish prepared to mark the Ugadi, metaphorically speaking, prepares us for the year ahead, that may be filled with a mix of happiness, sadness and surprises.
Speaking of sadness and surprises COVID 19 was a disgusting surprise for all of us when it began to spread its tentacles in Indian in 2020. Ironically, four years ago, Ugadi was celebrated on 26th March, 2020, which was the first day of the beginning of the saga of the COVID 19 lockdowns that was first announced by the Prime Minister on 25th March 2020 for three weeks. The lockdown was later extended and what followed is now history. India and the world have passed through the worst of times with loss of millions of lives and many more millions of loss of livelihood and suffering (680 plus million people affected by COVID 19 and over 6 million deaths). Although COVID 19 is behind us, it has taught us to be resilient to face such shocks and disgusting surprises.
Wishing you all a very happy Ugadi / Gudi Padwa. May this new year usher in good health and happiness and may the years ahead, truly be the Amrit Kaal for Indians as we head towards achieving our aspirations to make our country Vikshit Bharat, by the time we celebrate the centenary of our independence.
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