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| Bevu Bella |
All Hindu festivals have their own significance and importance.
Hindu culture has a rich heritage, with numerous festivals. Each festival celebrated
throughout the year has its own distinct value and ritual practice. Ugadi is
celebrated in many states like Karnataka Andhra Pradesh. and Maharashtra,
March 31 is the beginning of the Karnataka new year (Yugada+aadi=Ugadi).
What is the first season (rithu) of the year? It is the season of spring
(vasantha-ruthu). What is the most important month in the year? It is chairtra
masa (the first month of the year). The bright fortnight (sukla paksha) is the
better part of the month. Among the days, the first day of the lunar month is
important. As all these important elements are present today, it has special
significance as marking the commencement of a new year (described as Ugadi)
Significance of Ugadi:
The name "Ugadi" came from Yuga + Aadi which means "Beginning of
a New samvatsara. It is believed that the creator according to Hinduism, Lord
Brahma started his work of creation on the Chaitra suddha padhyami(Ugadi). The
onset of spring also in some way symbolically marks the beginning of new life.
The new life seen in the fields and meadows, with colorful blossoms, also
signify prosperity and well-being.
Ugadi is also regarded the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a
change in the moon's orbit(Chandramana Yugaadi). On this day predictions are made for the New Year.
The panchanga shravanam or listening to the yearly calendar is done
traditionally at the temples. Preparations for the festival begin almost a week
ahead. Houses are cleaned. Shopping to buy new clothes and other items add to a
lot of excitement.
The Ugadi rituals
On Ugadi, people wake up before the break of dawn and have a head bath. The
entrances of their house are decorated with fresh mango leaves. According to
the legend, Kartik asked people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway. It
signifies a good crop and general well being.
On this day, it is the practice among the rural folk to eat what is called
"Ugadi Bevu+Bella (Ugadi Special). This Bevu bella is made from neem flowers and joggery, honey
sugar and other ingredients with different tastes. The inner significance of
this preparation is to indicate that life is a mixture of Sihi and Kahi (good
and bad, joy and sorrow) and all of them have to be treated alike. All
experiences have to be treated with equanimity. Every one should make a
resolution that he will face calmly whatever happens in this year, accepting it
with good grace. Welcome everything. Consider everything as for one’s own good.
Men should rise above sorrow towards happiness, Failure to Success. Many people
have struggle in their first half to enjoy the Life thrills.and in the second
half of the Life will be joyful.This is the primary message of the Ugadi
festival.
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