UGADI

                                                                                                     
             All trees that withered in Sisiram will get new leaves in Vasantharuthu. Nature is in full bloom, symbolizing regeneration and celebrating the season’s freshness. In seasons Vasantham is the best season, Lord Krishna also said in season’s he is Vasantha ruthu .So Vasantha ruthu is taken as the first season of the year. First month in Vasantham is Chaitram. First importance in Thiti goes to Padyami.

            According to BRAHMA PURANA, Lord Brahma started the creation on Chaitra Suddha Padyami. This day is celebrated as UGADI. This is the first festival of Telugu people (Andrapradesh). Those who follow phases of MOON ( ANDRAPRADESH, KARNATAKA, MAHARASTRA) CELEBRATE NEW YEAR ON CHAITRA SUDDHA PADYAMI. It is called as YUGADI in Karnataka, GUDI PADWA in Maharastra. Those who follow lunar calendar also celebrate New Year in Vasantha Ruthu, but on a separate day. It is called as Vaisakhi in Punjab, Puthandu in Tamilnadu, Vishu in Kerala, Poyala bisakh in Bengal. 

              Pandits say Srirama Patabishekam(in Treta yuga) and End of the incarnation of Lord Krishna in Kaliyuga is happened on this day only. According to astrologer, scientist Vrahamihira predictions Chaitram is the first season. On this day only he gave the first Panchagam to us. 

 

UGADI  PACHADI

             The most significant tradition in Ugadi is beginning the New Year with the unique flavored Ugadi Pachadi. Ugadi Pachadi  is prepared using fresh mango pieces, fresh neem tree flowers, new jaggery, tamarind paste, salt, green chilli. It has all the six tastes (Shadruchulu) in it symbolizing happiness and sorrows in our life. According to Ayurvedam, by eating this Ugadi Pachadi in the beginning of the year all vata, pitha, kafa doshas will be removed. Neem tree flowers have Antiseptic, Anti –Bacterial properties. Skin diseases are also cured. Mango helps to remove the problems in blood circulation . TAMARIND paste increases digestion. New jaggery decreases the heat in the body. Green chilli  reduces ear pain,  throat infections  and salt sees fat does not accumulate in valves.  It should be prepared in new mud pot. Some people add sugarcane pieces and banana also.

              ACCORDING TO BOOKS LIKE DHARMASINDHU THIS IS NOT THE UGADI PACHADI. In olden days Ugadi Pachadi is called as “NIMBU KUSUMA BAKSHANAM”. In order to reduce the effects of seasonal changes tender mango tree leaves (chiguru) and tender leaves of Asoka vruksha are also added, So it is called as “Asoka Kalika Prasadam”

It should be taken by us by praying to Asoka tree to give us all the happiness. We should eat it until Srirama Navami i.e 9days.But as time passed by, tender mango tree leaves are replaced by mango pieces .Even now in Karnataka, they will eat “BEVU  BELLA” chutney(PACHADI) MADE OF MIXING tender leaves of neem tree and jaggery . Maratas mix neem tree leaves and thyme/carom seeds/Ajwain(vamu) in Ugadi Pachadi.

PANCHANGA SRAVANAM

                It is compulsory to read Panchangam on this day. It is listened through a purohit or astrologers. It contains enormous mathematical work on the movement of the celestial bodies. The ancient Vedic sages and scholars have explained the astronomical phenomena and have formulated many principles. The literal meaning of Panchangam stands for 5 limbs they are Thithi, Vaara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and  Karana. By this Panchanga Sravanam we can know how the climate is going to be through out the year and which crop earns more. It helps the farmer to choose the type of crop he should cultivate. It tells about cyclones and how much rain will fall this year.

DWAJAROHANAM

                Dwajam is erected in front of the house. A bright green or yellow cloth adorned with zari (brocade) tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which sugar crystals, neem leaves, mango leaves and a garland of red flowers are tied. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it. It is then erected outside. This is called as BRAHMA DWAJAM. It symbolizes Lord Brahma started the creation on this day. This tradition is followed even now in Maharastra. Whole house is decorated with leaves and flowers. 

DAVANOSTAVAM 

                Davanam plant is a small and aromatic herbaceous plant which is native of the southern parts of India. Davanam grows well in this time. Davanam will be used in pooja from Chaitra Suddha Padyami to Purnima. By doing so it removes all bad smell from the body and reduces the heat from the body. Jasmine flowers also have the power to reduce the heat from the body. So jasmine flowers and Davanam tied together as a garland and used in temples to do pooja and decorate the deities.

PRAPADANA

                PRAPA means “Chalivendram” i.e keeping water in big mud pot and donating the water to the people who are thirsty. It is also started on this day.

VASATHA NAVARATRI

                 Vasantha Navaratri, just like Dasara Navaratri is also celebrated in this season. It starts from Ugadi and continues upto Srirama Navami. Vasntha Navaratri Ustavas are done at Lord Rama temples and in Devi temples.