Ugadi ,Gudi Padwa or Samsar Padwa 31 March 2014

Ugadi  or  Samsar Padwa marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar. It is a day when mantras are chanted and predictions made for the new-year. Ugadi is derived 

from the words Yuga - Aadi (beginning of the new era)

It is a season for raw mangoes spreading its aroma and fully blossomed neem tree that makes the atmosphere healthy. Also jaggery made the fresh crop of sugar cane adds a renewed flavor to the typical dishes associated with Ugadi. One such dish that has become synonymous with ugadi the combination of sweet , sour and bitter tastes which is truly related to life.

The Hindus of Kashmir start their new year- Navreh in mid march. At the same time, the southern Indian states of Karnataka  and  Andhra  Pradesh begin their new year-Ugadi. The Marathas celebrate their new year as Gudi Padwa, and the Sindhis observe Cheti Chand, the coming of new year during the same time.

In south India it is believed that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this auspicious day of Ugadi. In temples the new panchanga is ceremoniously released and the predictions for the whole year are read out. In my home  town  the priests visits the houses and read out the prediction of the year.

In Maharashtra,the New year is celebrated as Gudi-Padwa.A silk banner is raised and worshiped and greetings and sweets are exchanged.People hang "gudis"on their windows on this day to celebrate Mother Nature's bounty.A 'gudi 'is a decorated pole with a brass or a silver vessel placed on it.

 People prepare for the  New year by cleaning their houses and buying new clothes. On the Ugadi day they decorate their houses with mango leaves and rangoli designs. 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 most auspicious time to start new ventures. People wear new clothes and visiting the temple is the common features.

 The celebration of Ugadi is marked by religious zeal and social merriment. Special dishes are prepared for the occasion.

Significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend

It is said that Kartik (Subramanya or Kumara Swamy) and Ganesha,the two sons of Lord Shiva 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.

 Kappad Vadap

In some families there is a system of “Kappad Vadap” which means dedication of saris and dhotis to the memory of the departed souls with an offering of food or sweet beaten rice and an arti. The head of the family does it without assistance of a priest and after food ,the dhoti and sari will be put on by the elders of the family.

Newlywed  couples  celebrate their first  Ugadi  feast in their brides maternal home. The newlywed blessed by elders and arthi is performed to the couples which is followed by the gifts.

 What to cook on Ugadi

 Well, I don’t  panic  because most of the Konkani households have a fixed menu  for every festival. The standard menu for ugadi is -

Chana Gashi (red chana curry with cocanut gravy)

Tendli,pachadi and bibo upkari (tender cashwnut mixed with vegetable pallya)

 Kadgi chakko (tender jackfruit sukka)

  Dalitoye (daal)

 ( refer  Amchi-gele  for  recipe)

  Variety of bajiyas

  Kotto (idli  is prepared in jackfruit leaves)

   Madgane (gram dal kheer)

  Raw Rice

MADGANE  RECIPE

Ingredients

1 cup gram dal

1/4cup raw rice

Jaggery to taste

1 grated coconut

6 cardamoms

1/2 tin condensed milk

15 tender cashwenut or soak cashwnut in warm water  for 15 minutes

kishmish

Method{  Fry gram dal for sometime wash and drain the water. Cook chanadal , extract coconut milk and keep separately the thick and thin  coconut milk. When gram dal is boiled add thin coconut milk, cashew nut jaggery and finely ground rice and keep stirring. After 5-6 minutes add thick coconut milk bring it to boil ,pour condenced milk sprinkle  cardamom powder and kishmish. 

Thus New year brings with it hope and coverage for all humanity with the firm belief and strengthens our the mind   and body with different flavor of life.

11th April 2013

MAMA

Wishing  all my readers and friends a Happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa.