UGADI
"Ugadi" falling on the day of Chaitra Suddha Padyami, as per the
lunar cycles, heralds the New Year and a whole new beginning of life as the Spring sets
on.
Ugadi or Yugadi :
Ugadi or Yuga Adi literally means the beginning of an era. References
to Mahabharatha reveal the celebration of Ugadi from good old eras. The festival ushers in
a promising season of prosperity and abundance thus bringing in hope and cheer.
Legend says that Lord Brahma, the Creator
from the Trimurthies according to the Hindu Mythology, is known to have started his
creation on this day. Incidentally this also is the day when a new day and a new
month of a new year, begin with the sunrise as per the calculations of the Great Indian
Mathematician Bhaskaracharya.
The day also marks the start of Vasantha
Ruthu (Spring), the first season of the year with a change in the Moon’s
orbit. The vibrancy of life and verdant fields, meadows full of colorful blossoms signify
growth, prosperity and well being.
 The festival thus
being the first day of the first month of the first season of a New Year calls for the
purification of the soul by replacing the vices with divine virtues. The celebration of
the well being is notified by tying the toranam (sting of) of mango leaves,
the chief blossom of the season, to the doorway of each dwelling.
It is so believed that this was advised by
Kumara Swamy, the son of Lord Shiva, signifying a good crop and the general well being of
the family. It is also worth noting that Mango leaves are rendered auspicious in many an
occasion to propitiate the Gods.
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