HAPPY UGADI & GUDI PADWA

Ugadi name has been changed from Yuga Aadi (Yuga + Aadi means beginning of New age).
It is the Telugu New Year day celebrated on Chaitra Suddha Padyami, the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra. This festival is known as"Gudi Padwa" in Maharashtra and"Ugadi"in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is a day of great joy and happiness.This year it is called as "VyayaNamaSamvatsaram"
It is believed that the creator of the Hindu pantheon Lord Brahma started creation on this day - Chaitra suddha padhyami or the Ugadi day. Also the great Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya's calculations proclaimed the Ugadi day from the sunrise on as the beginning of the new year, new month and new day. The onset of spring also marks a beginning of new life with plants (barren until now) acquiring new life, shoots and leaves. Spring is considered the first season of the year hence also heralding a new year and a new beginning. The vibrancy of life and verdent fields, meadows full of colorful blossoms signifies growth, prosperity and well-being.
Predictions of the Year :
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon's orbit.It is a day when mantras are chanted and predictions made for the new year.Traditionally, the panchangasravanam or listening to the yearly calendar was done at the temples OR on television sets.The day, however, begins with ritual showers followed by prayers, and then the eating of a specific mixture of -"SHADRUCHULA SAMMELANAM"
"Neem flowers for "Bitterness"
Jaggery for"Sweetness"
Raw Mango for"Vagaru"
New Tamarind Juice for"Sour"
Red chillie pwd for"Hot"
Salt for salty taste
This mixture, called "Ugadi Pachhadi" in Telugu and "Bevu-Bella" in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of pleasure and pain, which should be accepted together and with equanimity.People wake up before the break of dawn and take a head bath after which they decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves.Houses are given a thorough wash.People wear new clothes.Ugadi Pachchadi is taken with empty stomach after giving "Nivedhyam" to god.The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Kartik (or SubramanyaSwamy)and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi were very fond of mangoes. As the legend goes Kartik exhorted people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway signifying a good crop and general well-being.People perform the ritualistic worship to God invoking his blessings before they start off with the new year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. Ugadi is also the most auspicious time to start new ventures.Special dishes are prepared for the occasion. In Andhra Pradesh, eatables such as "Pulihora", "Bobbatlu" and recipes made with raw mango go well with the occasion.In Karnataka ,"puliogure"and "holige". The Maharashtrians make "puran poli".Mangoes with salt, powdered mustard and powdered dry red chilli and a lot of oil to float over the mangoes. This preparation is called "Aavakai" and lasts for a whole year."UGADI" is thus a festival of many shades. It ushers in the new year, brings a rich bounce of flora and fills the hearts of people with joy and contentment.