5 Ways to do up your house this Ugadi

Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year and is celebrated in various cultures and traditions. The festival is known as Ugadi for people in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka while it is referred to as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Sindhis observe Cheti Chand. Usually these states celebrate the new year in their own ways, but they celebrate their New Year on the same day as well. Irrespective of the traditions and cultures, the day marks the onset of a fresh year; bringing in a new positivity and abundance for the observers and their families. Here is a look at some of the ways to make sure your Ugadi celebrations are complete and you can enjoy the festivities in a relaxed and peaceful manner.

Get your Ugadi shopping list ready: What’s Ugadi without traditional festive shopping? Ugadi marks a new beginning and it is a good idea to start shopping for new dress or clothing. In case if you are gifting some Ugadi gifts for a newlywed, make sure you purchase Haldi, Kumkum and bangles as gift for the married women. Neem leaves are also considered to bring in luck during Ugadi. Make sure your shopping list is ready and shopping activity done a day before the festival begins.

Cleaning the house: Cleaning one’s home is synonymous with almost every Indian festival and Ugadi is no different. Being a New Year, it is only natural that your house is clean and sparkling fresh for the New Year celebrations. Make sure all your household cleaning is done at least a couple of days before the festival. Last minute cleanings need to be avoided as far as possible and it is a good idea to start the cleanliness program a couple of days in advance.

Ugadi special dishes: Ugadi without traditional festive delicacies is playing Holi without any colour. It is a good idea to make sure you prepare some traditional delicacies and share it without your friends, neighbors and family to usher in the New Year is a delicious manner. Even if you are not a regular cook, Ugadi is the time for fresh beginnings and you can make sure of the festival to start your new cooking experiments. Children would love your traditional delicacies and it can make you an instant hot with your neighbors. So what are you waiting for? Start with the hidden traditional Ugadi recipe and let the taste buds flow.

Socialize: No Ugadi celebration is complete without socialization. Sharing is after all the essence of every Indian festival. Ugadi is a great day to hang out with friends especially in case you are staying alone. One can also celebrate Ugadi in the apartment community by organizing cultural festival like folk dances and music competition. Make sure to reach out to your friends and family and make Ugadi a memorable experience for all your loved ones.

Gifts Galore: Ugadi is essentially a traditional New Year festival and is the best time to give gifts to your loved ones and neighbors. Make sure your shopping activity include gifts for your loved ones which you can distribute to usher in a New Year filled with blessings and thankfulness you receives from your friends and neighbors who are beneficiaries of your gifts.

Ugadi 2015 falls on March 21, 2015!!!