The festival of Ugadi heralds the beginning Kannada
New Year and is celebrated all over Karnataka with traditional fervor.
The word 'Ugadi' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yugadi', which means
'beginning of a new Yuga or era'. The festival usually falls on the
second half of March or early April.
Ugadi also marks the advent of the spring season when Mother Nature
blooms with all her glory. Blossoming flowers and expansive tracts of
green paddy fields dot the landscape filling the hearts of people with
joy and contentment. Preparations usually start a week ahead with people
cleaning their houses and shopping for new clothes.
On Ugadi day, after a pre-dawn bath people decorate the entrance of
their houses with fresh mango leaves. The green mango leaves tied to the
doorway signify a good crop and general well being. Another unique
feature of the festival is the "Ugadi Pachchadi" delicacy made
from Neem flowers, mango juice, honey, sugar (jaggery) and other
ingredients.
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
