Ugadi, the festival of festivals, though not accompanied by much revelry and exuberance, is unique in that it strives to bring a sense of unity among the people. The mention of Ugadi reminds one of an oft quoted line from the romantic poet Shelly's famous 'Ode to the West Wind' : "If winter comes can spring be far behind?" The festival of Ugadi or the New Year of the Telugus instills this kind of hope in the minds of the people. Tarana naama Samvathsara is the Ugadi that is being heralded in on the 21st of March 2004.

    Ugadi ushers in the hot summer days. After the sparseness of winter, nature is once again resplendent in all its glory with flowers blooming and fruit trees flowering. The Hindu new year is celebrated in most parts of the country on the Prathama (first day) following the Amavasya (New Moon) of the last month of the Phalguna which is called Kotha (new) Amavasya by the Telugus. Ugadi is a representation of the start of the universe  - Lord Brahma is said to have chosen the first day of the first season for the creation of the world.

    Apart from the usual cleaning and decorating of the houses with flowers etc., there are a few things which are unique about Ugadi. They are nutana vastra dhaaranam, nimba kusuma bhakshanam, raja darshanam and panchanga shravanam.

The first is putting on new clothes which we do for most festivals, more so for new year. The second is the partaking of the Ugadi pachadi - a mixture containing all the six tastes (shadruchi), the most important being lemon (nimba), tamarind, vepapoovulu (margosa flowers), unripe mangoes, spices, jaggery and salt. A combination of various tastes, it denotes the myriad facets of human life and indicates that people should be prepared to face any situation with fortitude and equanimity. In the good old days Raja darshanam was a must as the king was considered an amsa of Lord Vishnu. So getting a glimpse of the king was like getting a glimpse of the Lord Narayana himself. Finally one has to listen to the reading of the almanac or panchanga shravanam which is performed ceremoniously at public gatherings. The almanac is prepared by astrologers based on planetary positions. They even predict natural calamities and the pleasant and unpleasant events that will unfold as the year passes. A knowledge of what is in store for the community at large helps him to face the challenges ahead of him.

Ugadi thus shows us the way to live our life to the fullest and in the most appropriate way.

VizagCityOnline.com/Net Savant wishes all its users a Happy Ugadi.