Ugadi, Gudi Padwa - New Year, Festival - INDIA

Ugadi is the New Year and is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm across the state of Andhra Pradesh. The day is of great significance as it signifies a fresh start to all the ventures and endeavours.

The day derives its significance from Hindu Mythology and it is believed that Lord Brahma, creator of the Hindu Pantheon, started creation on this day. The festival comes after Holi, the festival of colours. It marks the onset of spring, the first season of the year, a season when everything is lush, green and verdant. Fresh green leaves replace wilted ones while flowers bloom in full glory. Spring signifies a fresh lease of life which is evident in Mother Nature as a fresh lease of life dawns on most of its creation.

Women use different flowers which bloom during this time to decorate their house. They also use sweet smelling Jasmine to braid their hair. On this day, people wear new clothes and many clean and white wash their houses to mark the beginning of a new year. This also symbolises cleaning the house so that Goddess of wealth and prosperity blesses the house and its dwellers.

On Ugadi day, people wake up before the break of dawn and take a head bath. They decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves. The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Kartik (or Subramanya or Kumara Swamy) and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes. As a result the people decorate their houses with mango leaves as an auspicious gesture.

Close to the heart on this day is mango as not only the recipe but also its leaves grace the entrances of people's house. Several delicacies are prepared on this day and the one which could be said to be a 'trademark ' for this festival is Ugadi Pachchidi. This is prepared out of new jaggery ( derived from the fresh produce of sugarcane ) raw mango pieces , neem flowers and new tamarind. This recipe reflects life as it has a mix of sweet and sour things, so the most opportune moment to taste life is on the New Year day!

Different types of sweets are also prepared on this day along with some special culinary delights which rejuvenates the taste buds to last for a long time! People visit their relatives and exchange greetings on this day. The day symbolises a fresh, happy and auspicious start to any new venture or effort.

So, from all of us in the snehaH.com Team, we wish you a Very Happy Ugadi..!