Ugadi is just around the corner and the city of Bangalore is gearing up for it in gazillion ways! We’re starting to see lights on the streets, discounts in shops and a general vibe of festivities are in the air. For those of you who are new here, and yet to absorb the feel of this city, here’s a brief – Ugadi is one of the most popular festivals of Karnataka and it marks the beginning of a new year and also the spring season. Ugadi is also celebrated in Karnataka’s neighbouring states Andhra, Goa, Maharashtra & the newly formed Telangana. Different communities have different names for this festival but the festivities are quite similar.
In Karnataka, Ugadi arrives on the 6th of April this year and since it’s really close, here are some unknown facts about this festival to prep you for the upcoming celebrations.
1. What’s in a name?
The word Ugadi is derived from Sanskrit words Yuga and Aadi, meaning year and beginning respectively. So the very word means the starting of a new year. Back in the day, modern-day Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana, Goa and parts of Maharashtra all fell under the Satavahana Dynasty. This is probably why all these states consider Ugadi to be a significant festival and celebrate it in a similar fashion.
2. The legend behind Ugadi
As per mythology, Ugadi is considered to be the day that Lord Brahma started creating the universe. Some say that on this day, the Lord woke up and yawned from which the four Vedas were created. There’s yet another story that says that a single day in Lord Brahma’s life equals a year in human life. And that each year thus leads to new fates being written by the Lord into your life. For these and many other such stories, praying to Lord Brahma on the auspicious occasion of Ugadi is said to bring about good luck and prosperity.
3. What does it celebrate?
Some say that Ugadi celebrates the six tastes of human life – sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty and tangy. Dishes traditionally prepared on this day also are an amalgam of these tastes and are quite a feast to the tongue. Some of the traditional Ugadi recipes include majjige, holige, ugadi pachadi, mango pulihora and much more! Head out to famous hotels in your locality to get a taste of traditional Ugadi spread!
4. How is it celebrated?
Ancient customs state that the day must begin with consumption of neem leaves. Neem leaves have blood purifying properties and will make you healthy overall. Next, an oil bath is performed with specially prepared ayurvedic serums/oils. New clothes are worn and people go around to meet loved ones and celebrate the day. Given that this is an auspicious day, people make expensive purchases like gold, cars, land, homes etch because it apparently brings good luck!
5. Recitation of the almanack
On the day of Ugadi, the eldest member of the home recites the panchangam or a learned priest is invited to do the task. The priest may also then make predictions for the upcoming year based on lunar signs and planetary positions.
The entire day is spent in a busy haze with food preparation, decorating the home with rangolis, flowers and mango leaves and on the whole, it is a day that leaves you in a state of blissful peace.
Is this your first Ugadi?
Are you someone gearing to experience Ugadi for the first time? Well, we strongly recommend that you don’t travel out of the city and that you stay back to experience it. Trust us, it is a very happy place to be in and Bangalore does Ugadi with a bang!
And now that we’re on the topic of Ugadi, please note that Guarented has a host of sales and discounts exclusively for Ugadi. So don’t forget to check our site out!