UGADHI OR GUDI PHADWA

UGADHI OR GUDI PHADWA

Ugadhi is the first day of the lunar month Chaitra, and beginning of the new year in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

This being the first day of the New Year, the house should be well cleaned beforehand. Rangoli drawn in front of the house and Puja room. Mango thoran be made and tied to the front door and god's mantap.

On the morning of Ugadi all members are to take an oil bath and wear new clothes or clean clothes. Puja to Saligrama and Panchamrutha abhisheka is to be performed. Puja to the Panchanga(the new calendar) is also performed .If there is a Balimuri Sankha in the house milk abhisekha is to done.

Foe Ugadi in addition to the usual festival menu, a mixture of tender neem leaves, raw mango, new tamarind and jaggery are mixed together ( neem leaves and mango to be cut fine) and partaken by all members of the house. This is called bevubella in Kannada.This is symbolic of the year to come.

Naividya

Offering of coconut and fruits along with the bevubella is a must .Cooked food can be also be offered. The following sloka is to be recited after naividya.

Shaayurvajradeyhaaya

Sarvasampath karayacha

Sarvarista Vinashaaya

Nimbakadhala Bhakshanam.

The Bevubella mixture is eaten at the start of the meal signifying the inevitable aspects of life.

All the young people should seek the blessings of the elders after praying to God.

Menu for the day should include kheer, puran poli, 2 Bhaajis, Kosambari, Ambode, Khadi, Saar and dahi.