Category: Festivals

A festival is an extraordinary event celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect or aspects of that community and its religion or cultures.

Ugadi - Beginning of Season

Ugadi – Beginning of Season

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Ugadi

The word Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words Yuga (age) and Aadi (beginning) and it refers to the commencement of a new age. Ugadi or Samvatsaradi is the New Year’s Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra States in our country.

It is celebrated with all festivity in these states on the first day of the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra. Ugadi is the first day of the Telugu New Year.

Ugadi is being heralded on Chaitra Suddha Paadyami or the first day of the bright half of the Telugu month of Chaitra i.e., this year on 18th March 2018 (Sunday). It is the first day of the first month in lunar calendar.

The months derive their names based on the star of the full moon day. For example, the full moon day of this month coincides with ‘Chitta’ star and so the month is called ‘Chaitra’ Masam. It is also the beginning of Vasanta Rutu (season).

ACCORDING TO MYTHOLOGY

There was an interesting story in Hindu Mythology. Sage Narada, once asked Lord Brahma, what is the most difficult thing to conquer in the universe? Lord Brahma replied that it was hunger. Narada did not agree and said that he had never suffered from hunger and said, he conquered it.

To this, Lord Brahma asked Narada to take a new birth to experience the pangs of hunger.

Accordingly, Narada was born again, married and got sixty sons. There was a great famine at the end of Mahakalpa when his wife and all his children died of hunger. He could not put up with hunger and went in search of some food.

He found a mango fruit hanging tantalizingly at the far end of the tree branch. He found himself too weak to climb the tree. So, he piled up the bodies of his wife and sixty sons one over the other in a bid to reach the fruit. Then, Lord Brahma appeared and Narada admitted that hunger was the most difficult thing to conquer.

Narada then prayed to Lord Brahma to give a boon so that people would ever remember his sons. When Lord Brahma started creation again, sixty years were formed into one cycle and they were named after the sons of Narada.

The years were started from Prabhava, Vibhava—up to Akshaya, were the names given to the children of Narada. The sixty years were repeating again and again in a cycle, thus, reminding them to us forever.

The onset of spring also marks the beginning of new life with plants (barren until now) acquiring new life coupled with shoots and leaves. Spring is considered the first season of the year with a new beginning. The vibrancy of life and verdant fields, meadows full of colourful blossoms would signify the growth, prosperity and well-being of the people.

PREPARATIONS FOR UGADI

  • Preparations for the festival would normally begin a week ahead.
  • Houses are given a thorough wash and clean.
  • On Ugadi day, people wake up before the break of dawn and take a head bath.
  • The oil bath is a must for everybody.
  • The elderly people take a sacred bath in the nearby holy rivers or the sea.
  • They decorate the entrances of their houses with fresh mango leaves.

Mango leaves and Coconuts

Mango leaves and coconuts are considered auspicious in the Hindu tradition and they are widely used for Ugadi. The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Subrahmanya or Kumara Swamy and Ganesha, sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi were fond of mangoes.

As the legend goes, Subrahmanya exhorted the people to tie green mango leaves to the doorways signifying a good crop and general well-being. It is noteworthy that we use mango leaves and coconuts only on auspicious occasions to propitiate Gods.

People also splash fresh cow dung water on the ground in front of their houses and draw colourful floral designs. This is a common sight in every household. People visit temples and perform the ritualistic worship to Gods invoking their blessings before they start with the new year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity.

PRACTICES IN UGADI

The traditional way of celebrating this festival is by beginning the day eating ‘Ugadi Pacchadi’.

Ugadi Pacchadi

Is a combination of six flavours obtained by mixing Jaggery, Tamarind, Neem flowers, Green chillies, Common salt and Raw Mango respectively. It is a symbolic reminder of complex phases of life, one should reasonably expect in the Telugu new year.

Ugadi Pacchadi also reminds the people that they will have not just sweet experiences but also a combination of sour, salty and bitter episodes in their lives.

One is always reminded that no event or occasion is wholly good or bad in his own life. So, this would help a person to learn to put pain and pleasure in proper temporal perspective.

MEDICINAL EFFECT

Besides, the ingredients which are mixed in Ugadi Pacchadi have a medicinal effect on the body.

  1. Tamarind is acidic and is not only an appetizer but also helps in digestion.
  2. Neem is a well-known anti-bacterial agent.
  3. Green chillies help in Digestion and Salt is an electrolyte and Mango helps in the functioning of the liver.
  4. Ayurveda science testifies that these six flavours ironically represent the socio-psychological behavioural aspects of a person.

Food Preparations

  • In Andhra and Telangana, a special dish called Bobbatlu (Polelu), Pulihora etc; are prepared on this occasion.
  • In Karnataka, a special dish called Obbattu or Holige is prepared. It consists of the filling of jaggery or sugar boiled and made into a paste stuffed in flat roti-like bread. It is usually eaten hot or cold with ghee or milk.
  • With the raw mangoes available in abundance only during April and May, people in Andhra make good use of mangoes to prepare pickles which could be stored and used until the next season.

Ugadi thus marks the beginning of the hot season, which coincides with the school and college vacations. The air is filled with joy, enthusiasm and gaiety. Some people participate in social community gatherings and enjoy a tranquil evening with devotional songs and bhajans.

Ugadi Asthanam - Panchanga Sravana

Ugadi Asthanam – Panchanga Sravana

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An offering of the Special Garments

Six sets of New Silk Garments are carried from the Parimalapu Ara by the side of Yoga Narasimha Swami’s shrine. Sri Pedda Jiyyangar the rolls of the Six large and long silk garments keeping in a big silver basket, bearing on head brings to the Srivari Sannidhi.

In this process, the Vedic Scholars chant Vedic Hymns. The musicians play on auspicious musical instruments. Some servants hold the Panchamuka Torches in their hands and show the path. Near the golden Threshold, the Sannidhi Golla (The Royal Cowherd of Lord Srinivasa) stands holding a Torch in his hands.

Once the garments are brought inside Four of them are offered to the Mula Virat or the Main Deity.

Out of the four,

  • one is offered to the Crown,
  • the second one to the Nandaka Sword,
  • the third one as Tomala, and
  • the fourth one is decorated as Uttariya.

After unveiling the curtain, Holy Harati is offered to Sri Venkateswara. All the officers and other devotees who present there receive the Harati, Tirtha, Chandanam, and Satharis. After this process, the rest of the two garments are respectively offered to Sri Malayappa Swami and Vishvaksena.

Then the holy Akshatas are sprinkled on Malayappa Swami and Vishvaksena.

Utsava Murthy
Malayappa Swamy along with His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi

Priests Receive Danam from Swami varu

The next event of the ritual Matradanam which consists of some amount of Rice Grains, Dakshina Amount, and Tambulam (Betel Leaves and Nut powder) are offered to the Priests.

The Priests in return bless Lord Srinivasa with the words “Nityaisvaryo Bhava” (Be the Richest forever). Blessing Swamivaru by the priests is an exclusive event that can be seen only in the Daily Koluvu and this Asthanam at Tirumala.

The Chief priest is adorned on the head by the Foot Garment of Lord Srinivasa which is called ‘Parivattam’ and pays respect to Sathari.

Panchanga Sravanam

  • Then the Royal Assembly of Srivaru commences. In the royal assembly, the Royal Astrologer is assigned the duty of Reading the New Lunar Year Panchagam taking it from the holy feet of Lord Sri Venkateswara.
  • First, he begins with reading the Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana of the Day.
  • Then starts to give the details, the Results and effects of the New Year, Gains and Losses, the Planetary positions and their effects, the growth of crops and animal husbandry, and other calendar-related matters.
  • The Kandaya Phalams and the Respect and Disrespect of all those who are born in the 27 stars are read.
  • The God Srinivasa is humbly requested to be more kind towards all the worlds of devotees making all of them more happy, rich, and comfortable throughout the year.
  • The Siddhanti receives the Sathari respect from the priests. The priests offer the details of the income and expenditure of the year just passed to the Great God Srinivasa.

* Source: Saptagiri Magazine

Ugadi Asthanam in Tirumala

Ugadi Asthanam in Tirumala

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Ugadi Asthanam

Ugadi Asthanam is the first of all kinds of festivals and celebrations offered to Sri Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swami at Tirumala for the full length of a year. This takes place on the first day of the Chaitra masa according to Lunar Calendar.

The Daily ritual of Srivari Koluvu which is performed every day between Tomalaseva and Archana is performed with the special name Srivari Asthanam on the first day of the Lunar Calendar.

Ugadi Decorations / Ugadi Asthanam in Tirumala
Elegant Decoration in the Tirumala temple on the Occasion of Ugadi.

Koluvu or Asthanam is nothing but the Royal Assembly of Sri Venkateswara. Daily Koluvu is performed as a ritual in the presence of a limited gathering of officers and priests.

  • Ugadi Asthanam the first Annual Event is celebrated in the presence of many officials, Vedic Scholars, Archakas and Devotees.
  • The day on which Srivari Asthanam is celebrated is the ‘Padyami’ or ‘Pratipat Thithi’ of the bright fortnight of the Chaitra Month or the First day of every New Lunar Year.
  • Location/ Venue: ‘Tirumahamani Mandapa’ which is also called ‘Ganta Mandapa’ in a place just opposite to Garuda’s Idol.

The following are various features of Swami Vari Asthanam

Pre-ritual activity

  • In the early hours of the Ugadi Day even before dawn, the services of Suprabhata Seva and Tomala Seva are performed to the Main Deity in the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • After that, the Koluvu of Koluvu Srinivasa Murti is not performed. Instead in a lonely environment, Tirumanjanam or the Abhisheka Snana ceremony is performed to Malayappa Swami, Sri Devi, Bhudevi, and Vishvaksena.
  • While the daily Koluvu is a ritual offered to Sri Koluvu Srinivasa Murti, the Asthanam process is offered to Sri Malayappa Swami. Hence this Snana (sacred bath) ceremony is performed as a pre-ritual activity.

Arrival of Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi

Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi is brought to the Tirumahamani Mandapa in the Golden Sarva Bhupala Vahana while the path is lead by Vishvaksena followed by the divine Vedic chants, the auspicious sounds of various pious musical instruments and the chants of the Archakas.

The three idols of the God and two Goddess are properly mounted on their respective royal thrones facing Garuda with rich ornaments beautiful flowery garlands and silk garments.

VISWAK SENA
Chief Commander of Lord – Vishvaksena

On the right side to Sri Malayappa Swami the idol of Sri Vishvaksena is seated on an elevated seat decorated with a guarding crown and a sword as he is the commander-in-chief of Srivaru.

Prasada offerings to the Deities – Ugadi Asthanam

As the first event of the ritual different Padi prasadams and Anna prasadams are brought to offer to the Main idol or Mula Virat and Malayappa Swami, Sri Devi and Bhudevi.

The humble presence of the Priests, Jiyyangars, Ekangis, Acharya Purushas, Vedic Scholars, The Executive Officer, Peshkars, Paru Pattedars, and other TTD officials elevates the decency of the event.

The White Umbrella and the Chauvries are held by some of the attendants.

The items like

  • Laddus,
  • Vadas,
  • Appams,
  • Dosas,
  • Padi Prasadams,
  • Pulihora,(Variety Rice)
  • Pongali,
  • Chakkera Pongali,
  • Dadhyodanam(curd rice)

and such are brought from the Potu and as per the ritualistic style they are offered to the Gods and Goddesses. The holy Bells are sounded grandly as a mark of offering Prasadams to Lord Srinivasa.

Offering of the Special Garments

Priests Receive Danam from Swamivaru

Panchanga Sravana

The final events

Navanita Harati is offered to Sri Venkateswara. The Cow Butter and Tambulam are received from Swami Varu by the Executive Officer and others. After that, the Mysore Harati, Tallapaka Harati, and Tarigonda Harati are offered to Swamivaru.

Finally, the Prasada is offered to all, and with this, the Swamivari Asthanam comes to an end. It is the belief of all that, this Swami Vari Asthanam is an event through which all the devotees in the entire human world will be graced by Srinivasa Swami to have a bright and promising future.

* Source: Saptagiri Magazine

Ugadi - Telugu New Year

Ugadi – Telugu New Year

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UGADI

‘U’ means Joy, Shiva and Vishnu. ‘Ga’ means movement and acquisition.

Time will move on with the command of Lord Srimannarayana. The Chakra (wheel) in the hands of the Lord is Kalachakram – Time wheel.

The Lord said in Gita “I am solely responsible for Shrusthi, Sthithi, Laya (Creation, Existence and Destruction) of the universe”. Time is formless, omnipresent and most powerful.

Mahavishnu regulates time with all these traits. We divided endless time into different seasons with specified names. Our ancestors have made this arrangement.

Telugu people follow the Lunar calendar and mostly the name of the month is associated with the movement of Moon with a particular star on Full Moon day (Pournami). According to Lunar calendar, the year begins with Vasantha Ruthuvu (season). “Among all seasons or Ruthus, I am Vasantha Ruthuvu’’ said Lord Krishna in Gita.

Ugadi Asthanam – Tirumala

Ugadi starts with Vasantha Ruthuvu (spring season). All trees and plants bloom with flowers and fruits and the onset of Vasantha Ruthuvu is considered the first season of the year with a new beginning. This appears to invite nature for the service of God and humanity.

That’s why, elders call Vasantha Ruthuvu as

  • Kusumakara,
  • Madhumasa and
  • Madhavam.

Most glorious Madhava Ruthuvu is formed as Ugadi and after conducting Ugadi Asthanam in the presence of Lord Venkateswara Swami in Tirumala temple, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, worshipped by millions of people and the name of Ananda Nilayam becomes meaningful.

Ugadi Festival or Ugadi Asthanam - Tirumala Temple
Ugadi Festival or Ugadi Asthanam – Tirumala Temple

Why do we have festivals?

Time being considered divine, every day and every minute is absolutely a happy festival. If this feeling is absent, all the festivals celebrated are fruitless. The people who just enjoy feasting on various sumptuous food items would result in the generation of Rajo and Tamo Gunas and they will never develop Satvika Guna or Cult.

Keeping in mind, our ancestors have framed certain rules and food habits for various festivals, while worshipping a particular God or Gods. All activities we do, with a pious mind, would be the happiest occasion.

Ugadi is not celebrated just like other festivals or rituals and this is not associated with the worship of any specified God. The infinite time is calculated yearly.

On the new year day, the time is worshipped as our favourite deity or as a resemblance to different Gods. Forecasting of coming time of the new year in advance, how to worship deities and get their blessings, and achieving results with certain means of effort are some of the plans and special programmes to be followed on the day of Ugadi.

Ugadi – In the months of Margasira, Vaisakha, Kartika and Aswiyuja

According to our ancient literature, Ugadi was celebrated in the months of Margasira, Vaisakha, Kartika and Aswiyuja. Similarly, there are differences on the beginning of ‘Yuga’ thithi on the basis of Kalpa and Manvantaras. Stars or Nakshatras are treated as Yugadi Nakshatras. Brahma created the Universe in the early morning of Chaitra Suddha Pratipada.

To express our gratitude and in tune with the remembrance of that event, we celebrate Ugadi. Panchanga Sravanam helps to know the auspicious and inauspicious events which may happen in one’s own life in the forthcoming year. This also helps to formulate the path of action to make one’s life happy and blissful with foresight and good behaviour.

Panchanga Sravanam is highly useful for everyone and all people of different countries. This also brings cohesion between the Universe and Earth.

What UGADI means

‘U’ means Joy, Shiva and Vishnu as well. ‘Ga’ means movement and acquisition. Therefore, ‘Uga’ means the bestowing of blessings of God. One can get happiness with all planned righteous activities to be carried out for the forthcoming year.

The word Ugadi starts with the creation of the Universe and it indicates its philosophy and it proves to be an occasion for a happy life.

Ugadi and Yugadi signify TRIVENI SANGAMAM in which Karya (Action), Karana (Cause) and Phala (Result) are involved and they are interdependent and are said to be the main source of development and happiness.

“Mulakando Mukunda”— Worshipping Mukunda is the soul of Ugadi.

Kanuma - A Festival for cattle

Kanuma – A Festival for cattle

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Our beloved Bharatvarsha is a land of ancient Vedic practices and a rich heritage emulated globally. We are in an agrarian country where we revere the fundamental points of agriculture. Our animal stock forms a veritable fulcrum.

In our ‘Sanatana Dharma’, there are many scientifically proven rituals that are dedicated to nurturing our livestock.

Among them, we pay our respects to our cattle throughout the year, especially through forty-three celebratory events like festivals, Bullock Cart Races, and so on.

Kanuma

Kanuma is a truly significant festival dedicated to cattle. It is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh as a part of the Sankranthi festival. Kanuma falls on the third day of this four-day-long festival. It is of special importance to farmers who consider cattle as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.

In the phase of Uttarayana at a point when the nodal position of the Sun moves from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, Kanuma is enjoyed socially, religiously, and above all spiritually.

  • As per the Tamil Panchang (Almanac), the month is referred to as Marghazi, and
  • as per the Telugu Tithi, it is the auspicious month of Pushya.

The next day of Sankranti is the day of Kanuma. People must take a head bath on this day to get rid of Kanuma Peeda. Here a proverb is said “Even crows take a dip in the water “.

Kanuma is a festival of animals. Sankranti is the right time for farmers to express their gratitude to their cattle which played an important role in the harvest.

Hence farmers wake up early in the morning and clean their oxen. They paint their horns and decorate them with Marigold flowers. Then they feed them and give harati. ‘Go puja’ is also performed at the temples.

Kanuma Festival

  • Some farmers go to their fields, sacrifice a goat or sheep, and sprinkle the blood in their fields.
  • Some farmers take cooked rice and milk to the cattle shed offer some of it to the cattle and the remaining to their fields and scatter it there.

They believe that this offering keeps the ghosts away from their crops. On this day blessings are taken from the elders. Especially married women bless each other with turmeric paste for Sowbhagyam.

Dedicated to Cows

As per our Scriptures, Our Lord Sri Krishna saved His devotees in Gokulam from the devastation of a deluge. Our Lord picked up the mammoth Govardhan Mountain to protect the land, the human beings, and the livestock. It marks the victory of our Bhaktavatsala (the Protector of the Bhaktas) against Lord Indra.

This festival is dedicated to cows, bulls, and oxen which form the fundamental aspect of the agricultural plethora of our beloved Bharat.

Go Puja

Go Puja

An elaborate and spiritually uplifting Govardhan Puja or Go Puja is organized to worship the most holy Gomata (the Mother of all….the Cow). The rituals are vivid and soul enriching. The cattle are bathed and decorated with paint and ornaments on this day.

They are taken to nearby temples where rituals are performed for worship. The most healthy bulls are adorned with ornaments and are brought in for processions thus displaying a farmer’s grandeur. These processions are illustrated with ‘sannai’ music.

In some places, a typical practice named ‘Jallikattu‘ (it is a sport conducted for cows and bulls) is celebrated as a part of Pongal. Special dishes are a part of this festival. They are ‘ariselu’ made of rice flour and jaggery, ‘pulihora’, ‘laddu’, ‘sweet pongal,’ ‘moongdal payasam’, ‘bobbatlu’ or ‘puran poli’ and cracked wheat ‘halwa’.

jallikattu

Charity forms a pleasant part of the auspicious occasion of the Kanuma festival.

Mukkanuma

The concluding day of a four-day festival is mukkanuma, a joyful day. Cockfights, bullfights ram fights, etc. are organized with joy and pomp.

  • Some betting is done on cattle.
  • Rangoli competitions are conducted for women.
  • Children play with kites.
  • Kite flying also has a symbolic meaning.

It is said that the higher your kite goes, the higher you will rise in the future.

Bhogi Festival

Bhogi Festival

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Bhogi

The last day of Danus Sankranti is Bhogi. People celebrate it with great zeal and happiness as it is the first festival in the English New Year. One day before people collect derelict objects like broken furniture, spoiled mats, used brooms, used winnowers, logs and dry branches of the trees etc.

On Bhogi day in the early hours, they put bonfires in front of their houses with the collected objects. The series of bonfires in the streets feast our eyes with emitting flames and smoke.

Bhogi

Bathing

The cold atmosphere at that place turns warm gradually. Some people boil water in pots on these bonfires for taking oil bath with this water. In rural areas, women combine their hands with others hands and go around the bonfires by singing and dancing. Everyone cleans their houses and takes oil bath on Bhogi day. Some people go to the temple as it is the last day of Dhanurmasa.

Dhanurmasam – Goda Devi

Dhanurmasa is an auspicious month because Goda Devi, the incarnation of Bhudevi (the mother earth) worshipped Sri Ranganatha swami with her Tiruppavai pasurams during Dhanurmasam and married Ranganatha swami on this Bhogi day. In almost all Vaishnavite temples Goda kalyanam (marriage) with Ranganatha swami will be performed on Bhogi day.

The idol of Goda Devi will be brought to the Kalyana Mandapam in a Bhogi chariot which is specially made for this occasion.

Goda Devi drew rangoli to invite Lord Krishna

The special attraction of Bhogi is felt with the colorful rangoli drawn in front of the houses. It indicates the beginning of Dhanurmasa and goes up to Mukkanuma. It is said that Goda Devi drew rangoli to invite Lord Krishna to her house.

During Danurmasa unmarried girls get up before dawn and draw rangoli in front of their houses. Then they worship Lord Krishna to bless them with the best bridegroom.

Various kinds of rangoli like flowers, birds, animals, musical instruments, dolls, flower vases, pots, and sugar cane can be drawn during an entire festival month.

Bhogi Rangoli

Some women arrange gobemmalu (gobemmalu are cow dung balls which are decorated with turmeric powder, red vermilion powder, flowers, and different types of grains) in between rangoli, one in the middle and the remaining around it.

The middle one is treated as Krishna or Gauri Devi and the remaining are treated as gopikas. These gobemmalu are then dried and used as fuel for cooking payasam on Rathasaptami or on Sankranti.

Magha suddha Saptami is Rathasaptami, the birthday of the Sun god. The other special attraction of Bhogi is Haridas.

Haridas especially dress in saffron clothes, applying namams on their forehead, putting a bowl like a pumpkin on their head, holding cymbals in one hand and thambura in another hand, and fitting anklets to their legs. They are considered as a replica of sage Narada, a divine devotee of Lord Vishnu.

Rangoli during Bhogi

They walk along the streets by singing sundarakanda and Bhagavatam during Dhanurmasa. They create a devotional atmosphere there. It is believed that they should not be sent away without giving any alms. They accept rice, money, vegetables and other offerings.

In some places, an old tradition of Bhommalakoluvu is seen. It is showcasing dolls for 3 days commencing with Bhogi. Women and children arrange the dolls aesthetically and thematically. They invite neighbors and friends and distribute Thambulam (Betel leaves and nuts with Bananas) as part of the tradition.

Special food items

At houses

  • Tamarind rice,
  • hot Pongal,
  • bobattlu/poli/poornalu (prepared with atta/ liquid rice flour and paste of jaggery and Bengal gram).

In the evening the elders in the house pour a mixture of flower petals, jujube berries, pieces of sugar cane, and coins (called Bhogi pallu) on the heads of the children to protect the children from an evil eye. They invite neighbors on this eve.

Makara Sankranti

Makara Sankranti

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Makara Sankranti is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by the Indians

Sankranti – Four Sankrantis are Main

The sun changes from one zodiac sign to another zodiac sign once every 30 days. The time at which the sun changes the zodiac sign is called ‘Sankramanam‘. The day on which sankramanam occurs is called ‘Sankranti’.

There are 12 Sankranti in a year. Among them, 4 Sankrantis are very important. They are

  • Mesha Sankranti,
  • Karkataka Sankranti,
  • Dhanus Sankranti and
  • Makara Sankranti.

Uttarayanam & Dakshinayanam

A period of six months is called ‘Ayanam’. Two Ayanams or one year is equal to one day for God.

  • The first six months which is called Uttarayanam is a day – Uttarayanam begins with Makara Sankranti and ends with Karkataka Sankranti
  • The remaining six months which is called Dakshinayanam is a night for Gods – Dakshinayanam begins with Karkataka Sankranti and ends with Makara Sankranti.

Danus Sankranti comes just one month before Makara Sankranti.

Makara Sankranti

Makara Sankranti is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by the Indians. Though the origin of the festival is not known exactly, it is traced back to the time of Aryans who worshipped the Sun God to save and protect them from the hot sunny summer and cold winters.

In Andhra Pradesh, Makara Sankranti is celebrated for 4 days.

  • The first day is Bhogi.
  • The second day is Makara Sankranti and
  • The third day is Kanuma and
  • The fourth day is Mukkanuma.

Uttarayana Punya Kala begins with Makara Sankranti. It is believed that people who die during these six months will go directly to Vaikuntam. This is the reason why Bhishma in Mahabharata who got voluntary death as a boon from his father waited until this time to leave his body.

People drop Tila tarpan (dropping black sesame seeds with water) to their dead ancestors to liberate them from the sins they committed and to let them continue their journey to Vaikuntam.

Makara Sankranti

Preparations on the day of Sankranti

Sankranti is a festival in reverence to the deity Surya. So women wake up before dawn, clean their courtyard draw beautiful rangoli, and fill rangoli with various colors.

Then they decorate the entrance of their house with marigold festoons and the thresholds by applying turmeric and vermilion paste.

After taking a bath and wearing new clothes they worship the sun god and offer payasam. This payasam is cooked in specially decorated earthen pots on the flame lit with cow dung cakes (which have been preserved for it) under the pavilion of sugar cane sticks in the presence of the Sun god.

Sankranti is a harvest festival. So Goddess Lakshmi will also be worshipped in the names of Dhanya Lakshmi or Sankranti Lakshmi to bless the farmers with good yields.

The new sons-in-law are invited to their parents-in-law for Sankranti along with their better halves for a big feast. Garelu (made of a black gram), Arisalu/ attirasalu (made of rice flour and jaggery) along with other items are served in the meal on this day.

Attraction of Sankranti

The big attraction of Sankranti is gangireddu. Gangireddu is a sacred bull that is considered a form of Nandhiswara, a divine vehicle of Lord Siva. They are decorated with various clothes and with ringing bells around their neck and led by their master.

GangiReddu - Makara Sankranti

The master goes house to house along with the bull and an accompanying person. The master plays Nadaswaram and the accompanying person beats dolu. It symbolizes the upcoming good luck of the householders.

The Puranas say that on this day the Sun visits the house of his son Shani who is head of the Makara Rasi. This day symbolizes the healthy relationship between father and son.

Ugadi Festival - New Year

Ugadi Festival – New Year

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Ugadi – New Year for most of the states in INDIA

Seasons change. So are the accomplishments that seasons give to us. Because of variations, nature is always juvenile. The trees which shed their leaves in winter, sprout new leaves in spring and flourish with dexterity.

Of all the seasons, spring is the most invigorating and appealing. Lord Krishna says that “Rutunaamkusumaakarah”, I am the Spring in seasons. Because of this reason, the beginning of the new year will be counted from this season.

The first month in Spring is “Chaitram”. In the case of thidhi, Paadyami is accredited as the first. Brahma Purana says that Lord Brahma had commenced the creation of this universe on this day in the aeon.

This is the starting of a Yuga. This day is celebrated by all Telugu people as the first festival because all the above were commenced on this day of yore.

The learning also said that Lord Rama had been crowned, and Lord Krishna ceased his incarnation on this day. The beginning of Kali Yug was also on this day. As per the computations of Varahamihira, the astronomer and the astrologist, Chaitra is the first month in a year.

On this great day, he had consecrated the first Panchangam (Almanac) to us. Famous kings like Vikramaditya and Andhra king, Salivahana ascended the throne on Paadyami thidhi of Chaitra month.

Ugadi Pachhadi (chutney)

The moment you think of Ugadi, then comes instantly to anybody’s thoughts is “Ugadipachhadi”.

Mixing up the green mangoes, neem flowers, fresh jaggery, tamarind, chilly, and salt, the Ugadi Pachhadi is made to reflect the six tastes of life which are the spokes of happiness and sadness. However, keeping this aside, it is mentioned in Ayurveda that, consuming this pachhadi on Ugadi day will remove phlegm, gas, and many other health problems.

  • The neem acts as antiseptic, antibacterial. It also removes skin diseases.
  • Raw Mango cures the defects in blood circulation in the body.
  • Tamarind helps in digestion.
  • New jaggery reduces the heat in the body.
  • The chilly cures an earache, throat swelling.
  • Salt restricts growing of fat in veins.

Normally this chutney is made in new earthen pots and hence keeps the body cool. Some people also add pieces of sugarcane and banana to the chutney.

Panchanga Sravanam

(Rendering of Almanac)

This is invariably done on Ugadi day. There is a meaning in this. This is the scientific way of showcasing our rituals. There are five parts. Thidhi, Vara (week), Nakshatra (star), Yoga and Karana.

Chatra Chamara Sekarana

(Collection of umbrellas, hand fans)

Commencing from the month of Chaitra, the rays of Lord Sun get intense and hence people collect umbrellas and hand fans to protect themselves from the scorching heat.

Pravadana Prarambham

(Starting by Providing Cool Water)

Prava means “cool hut” and Prasaadanam means sources of providing cool water. Such huts set up to provide cool water are also started on this day.

Vasanta Navaratri Utsavam

(Celebrations of Nine Nights)

Starting from Ugadi, celebrations are done for nine days. People pray Lord Rama during these nine days to bless them with good luck during the entire year.

Even though small changes occur, there is always an inherent meaning and purpose in our customs and rituals. Our elders thus made such festivals as part of our daily life.

May the Lord Sri Venkateswara with his consort goddess, Padmavathi bless us all every year.

Ugadi - Tirumala Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple on day of Ugadi
Ugadi Chutney

Ugadi Chutney

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Ugadi Pachhadi/ Ugadi Chutney is also known by some other names such as UgadiGojju, Ugadi Rasayana.

On the day of the Ugadi festival after taking the bath, the Chutney is prepared and offered to God as naivedya. Then it is taken as the first intake of the day with the fond hope that the forthcoming year would be joyful.

Ugadi Chutney ingredients

Ugadi Pachhadi (chutney)

The moment you think of Ugadi, then comes instantly to anybody’s thoughts is “Ugadi pachhadi”.

Ugadi Chutney is a combination of six tastes –

  1. sweet 
  2. sour
  3. acrid
  4. bitter
  5. salty
  6. spicy.

A chutney which is a combination of the above six tastes will, of course, be palatable.

For sweetness, people add jaggery (some use sugar instead),

for sourness, ripe tamarind is used,

for acrid taste, tender grated mango is used,

for bitterness the flowers of margosa [neem] tree or the tender leaves of the same tree.

Salt and for spiciness, green chilies are used. Each of these tastes is representative of different experiences– sweet is for comfort, bitterness is for misery.

Similarly, the other tastes also represent different moods and experiences of life. The obvious concept is that we should accept life as a mixture of different moods and experiences. It is in a way to prepare ourselves for such phases in the forthcoming year.

Mixing up the green mangoes, neem flowers, fresh jaggery, tamarind, chilly, and salt, the Ugadi Pachhadi is made to reflect the six tastes of life which are the spokes of happiness and sadness.

However, keeping this aside, it is mentioned in Ayurveda that, consuming this pachhadi on Ugadi day will remove phlegm, gas, and many other health problems.

  • Neem acts as an antiseptic, and antibacterial. It also removes skin diseases.
  • Raw Mango cures the defects in blood circulation in the body.
  • Tamarind helps in digestion.
  • New jaggery reduces the heat in the body.
  • Chilly cures an earache, and throat swelling.
  • Salt restricts the growth of fat in veins.

Normally this chutney is made in new earthen pots and hence keeps the body cool. Some people also add pieces of sugarcane and banana to the chutney.