Ugadi A Community Festival

Ugadi is the first day of the Hindu lunar calendar. Shopping for new clothes and buying other items that go with the requirements of the festival are done with a lot of excitement. Entrance of the houses is decorated with fresh mango leaves. In rural areas, splashing fresh cow dung water on the ground and drawing colorful floral designs are common sight in every household. It is believed that the creator Lord Brahma started creation on this day. While it is called Ugadi in Andhra and Karnataka, in Maharashtra it is known as “Gudipadava“. The word “Ugadi” can be explained as “uga” means Yuga or “era” and “adi” means “the beginning”. The festival marks the New Year day.

Observance of the festival

On Ugadi day, people wake up before the break of dawn and take a head bath after which they decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves. The green mango leaves tied to the doorway signify a good crop and general well being. People perform the ritualistic worship to God invoking his blessings before they start off with the New Year. Then eating the specific mixture of six tastes known as “Ugadi Pachchadi”. These six tastes symbolize different experiences in life which may be bitter or sweet which should be accepted in life with equanimity. The mixture consists of neem buds or flowers for bitterness, tamarind juice for sour, chilli for heat, jaggery and ripe banana for sweetness and a pinch of salt for the salty taste.

They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. It is believed that the creator Lord Brahma started creation on this day. Ugadi is also the most auspicious time to start new ventures. The reading of the Panchanga is the predictions for the year as per calendars and Panchangam. It is usually organized at temples and by cultural and social organizations. Nowadays, people turn on the TV to watch broadcasts of the “Panchanga Sravanam” recitation. Ugadi celebrations are also marked by literary discussions, poetry recitations and recognition of authors of literary works through awards and cultural programs.

Celebrating Ugadi in apartments

Celebration of Ugadi in apartment starts from each resident’s home or flat. Ugadi decorations begin from cleaning the house and decorate the entrance of the houses with fresh mango leaves. Following are some useful tips for celebrating Ugadi in your apartment.

• Cleaning & decorating: The first and very important step in welcoming god of health, wealth, prosperity and success is cleaning the house a day before festival and decorating home on early morning of festival day. Clean the house and decorate your apartment with various decorative items to bring a festival mood in you and your family members. You can add a personal touch to your lighting arrangements by designing or modifying your own lights.

• Floral decoration: You can decorate your home and entrance with flowers or garland. The art of floral decoration is consisted in the skill of arranging the flowers fitting to the surroundings. Flowers are best options to adorn your home for any occasion. Decorate the entrance of the houses with fresh mango leaves. Mango leaves tied to the doorway signify a good crop and general well being.

• Rangoli: Rangoli is decorative designs on floors of living rooms and courtyards during festivals and are made to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The rangoli made by adding points to the first white paint on the ground in a particular size. Today, you can get instant rangoli designs which help you to create marvelous design even though you are not an expert in rangoli.

• Home Decor Candles or Diyas: There are many types of candles that can create a pleasant ambiance in your home or apartment. Candles are classy way to create a charming atmosphere in your home or apartment. Home Decor Candles are used for making the house look beautiful, romantic and lovely. There are many variations of candles. Home Decor Candles come in a large array of shapes and sizes, colors and scents.

• Worship of God: People perform the ritualistic worship to God invoking his blessings before they start off with the New Year. They pray for the health, wealth, prosperity and success of whole family. Offer pooja and distribute Prasad among your family and friends. Nowadays, people turn on the TV to watch broadcasts of the “Panchanga Sravanam” the predictions for the year as per calendars and Panchangam.

• Prepare Ugadi Sweets: Ugadi festival is known for Ugadi Pachadi or Bevu Bella mixture of fresh neem leaves and jaggery. Womenfolk start preparing the mithai a day before, so that it is ready to be eaten well in time. kaju pista, Moti choor laddoos, Besan or gram flour laddoos, Badam burfis are offered as prasad during the pooja on Ugadi. There are other desserts that can be made as easily at home such as Vermicelli kheer and Rice kheer.

• Community Games: Festivals are good opportunity to know people in your apartment and enjoy festival making them memorable. Several apartment complexes plan their Ugadi festival with festival lunch, community games, awareness program or social service program. Apartment owners association and Residents welfare association can conduct various cultural and social activities for the fun and entertainment of the children in the apartment complex or in neighborhood.