Tomarrow is the beginning of the Telugu new year (Ugadi). What is the first season (rithu) of the year? It is the season of spring (vasantha-rithu). What is the most important month in the year? It is chairtra masa (the first month of the year). The bright fortnight (sukla paksha) is the better part of the month. Among the days, the first day of the lunar month is important. As all these important elements are present today, it has special significance as marking the commencement of a new year (described as Ugadi)
On this day, it is the practice among the rural folk to eat what is called "Ugadi Pacchadi (Ugadi Chutney). This Chutney is made from neem flowers, mango juice, honey sugar and other ingredients with different tastes.

The inner significance of this preparation is to indicate that life is a mixture of good and bad, joy and sorrow and all of them have to be treated alike. All experiences have to be treated with equanimity. Every one should make a resolve that he will face calmly whatever happens in this year, accepting it with good grace. Welcome everything. Consider everything as for one’s own good. Men should rise above sorrow and happiness, success and failure. This is the primary message of the Ugadi festival.


When the Pandavas lived, the time scales were determined on the basis of the longitude which passed through Lanka. When we take this as the basis, we come to the conclusion that the period which we now call kali yuga started in the year named Pramadi, in the month named Sravana and in the fortnight named bahula and on the day called Ashtami.

According to the English calendar, this would be described as February 20th, 3102 B.C. years before the advent of Christ. In order to bring out this aspect of the commencement of a new yuga on February 20th, 3102 B.C., our ancestors have been calling that day as Ugadi or the day of a new era. As this was the commencing day of a new yuga, it was called the Ugadi. Ugadi is also the day on which Krishna gave up his mortal body in a sacred place of pilgrimage called Prabhasa near Dwaraka.

Auspicious days like Ugadi should be used for making resolutions to change our way of life and to purify our behaviour by giving up all bad qualities. Ugadi is a festival that teaches lessons in selfless service. It is not intended for feasting. It is a sacred day when wholesome wisdom should dawn and enlightenment should blossom in the hearts of the people. Ugadi teaches man the lesson that he should perfect himself as an embodiment of divinity.

"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 !


HAPPY UGADI 2 ALL OF YOU....

Yuppiee new year in advance

hve fun n joy......:)