UGADI
The Rituals :
Marked by religious zeal and social
merriment, the day starts with an oil bath at an early hour in the Padyami tithi,
even before the Sun rises. A thorough body massage with sesame oil followed by a head bath
with Rita juice or Amla seed flour or Shikakai is considered auspicious on the day.
The floors before each dwelling are
sprinkled with cow dung mixed in water for sanctity and soon are seen the bright coloured muggus,
floral decoration made with rice flour. This along with the Toranam of
mango leaves is believed to add to the sanctity.
 After offering prayers to the Sun God, Ugadi Pacchadi, which
is a pot pourri of all tastes is the special dish made on the eve that is first offered to
God and then had over an empty stomach. The dish is held symbolic to the complex nature of
life and its multifaceted aspects. This apart the dish also has a rich medicinal value to
counter the seasonal changes that occur at this time. Other dishes that form a part of the
special cuisine are Pulihora and Bobbatlu.
Offering a Purna Kalasam after
a proper worshipping along with new clothes and some Dakshina (money as offering)
to a Purohit or Lord Vishnu in a temple (Yagnyapurusha) is also considered
auspicious. Purna kalasam can be made by placing a raw coconut wrapped in a new
piece of cloth over a copper or a pancha loha vessel filled with perfumed water.
 Last but not the least on the list of rituals is Panchanga
Sravanam, i.e., hearing of the Panchang. With a change in the moon's orbit, Ugadi is a
day when mantras are chanted and predictions made for the New Year by extrapolating from
the positions and transitions of the nine prime constellations. This is followed by
respectfully thanking the priest by offering him new clothes and seeking blessings.
The purported benefits of adopting this
Panchanga (the 5 aspects) sravanam can be said to be –
- Tithi
: Wealth and all round prosperity.
- Vaaram
: Health and longevity.
- Nakshatram
: Repentance and absolving of sins.
- Yogam
: Benefits in health
- Karanam
: Functional efficiency and success.
Prayers for health, wealth and prosperity
and success in business thus are part of the festival. Ugadi is considered the most
auspicious time to start new ventures.
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