Ugadi is the New Year (Lunar New year) for Telugu and Kannada Speaking People and it ushers in the Spring season.In 2012 ,the date of Ugadi is March 23.Nandana Nama Samvatsara begins on March 23,2012.Ugadi (Yuga & Adi) means beginning of an astronomical cycle.It is also the first day of Chaitra,the first month of the traditional Hindu Calendar followed in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.Ugadi is also known as Chandramana Ugadi or Chandramana Varsha Thodaku or Vatsara Arambha.
For the telugu and Kannada Speaking people ,Ugadi day begins with an extensive oil bath.Rangolis or Kolams are drawn infront of homes and doors and windows are decorated with a 'Thorana' -Mango leaves strung together.Then it is time for the preparation of the famous "Ugadi Pachadi" in Andhra Pradesh.In Karnataka,it is the "Bevu Bella".
A major event on the day is "Panchanga Sravanam"- predictions for the year.It is organized at temples and by cultural and social organizations.
Ugadi festival Food
"Ugadi pachchadi" is one such dish that has become synonymous with Ugadi. It is made of new jaggery, raw mango pieces and neem flowers and new tanarind which truly reflect life - a combination of sweet, sour and bitter tastes!
Symbolic eating of "Pachhadi"The Kannada, Telugu and the Konkani diaspora in Karnataka and Kerala,people celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast are 'de rigueur'. The day, however, begins with ritual showers (oil bath) followed by prayers, and then the eating of a specific mixture of six tastes (షడ్రుచులు), called Ugadi Pachhadi (ఉగాది పచ్చడి) in Telugu and Bevu-Bella( ಬೇವು-ಬೆಲ್ಲ) in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experiences (sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise) , which should be accepted together and with equanimity.
The special mixture consists of:
Neem Buds/Flowers for bitterness
Raw Mango for tang
Tamarind Juice for sourness
Green Chilli/Pepper for heat
Jaggery for sweetness
Pinch of Salt for saltiness
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