Ugadi, or Gudi Padwa which is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month Chaitra, marks the beginning of the New Year according to the lunar calendar followed by Hindus especially in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.This day is also called Cheti Chand among the Sindhis.
It is believed that Lord Brahma began creating the universe on this auspicious day of Ugadi.
On this day people decorate their houses with mango leaves, rangoli designs and pray of a prosperous new year.They also visit temples to listen to " Panchanga Shravana" or to the predictions made by the priests for the coming year.
Ugadi also officially marks the beginning of the mango season.This festival gives all the freedom to satisfy the taste buds with yummy mangoes.
SYMBOLIC EATING, PACHARI!!
The eating of a specific mixture of 6 tastes on this day symbolises the fact that life is an amalgamation of different experiences , which ought to be accepted with equanimity throughout the year.
The special mixture consists of :
Neem buds, flowers for its bitternesss (signifying sadness)
Jaggery(concentrated sugar) and ripe banana pieces for sweetness (happiness)
Green chilli /pepper for its hot taste (anger)
Salt for saltiness (Fear)
Tamarind juice for its sourness(Disgust)
Unripened mango for its tang(surprise)
Ugadi is also the time of the year , when people especially ladies,would love to get dresses in their traditional outfits and flaunt their ethnic side in style.Women wait for this of the year to buy for their best traditional outfit and accessories to look their best.
