Ugadi - Rituals

Send Ugadi Greetings

The rituals that are prescribed by the scriptures for practice on specific festivals have been eroded over centuries due to attempts by invading rulers who wanted to impose their own practices over the local populace. The festivals themselves were (and continue to be) relegated to 'social functions.' It is time we take a look at the very reason these festivals were established and the original prescriptions thereof.

It is the Hindu Almanac - Panchangam - that establishes the moment when Ugadi takes place. As such, it is customary to extrapolate (from the positions and transitions of nine prime constellations) and predict the events for the onsetting year.

Oil Bath

Ugadi The first step in the rituals is to have a head bath before the sun rises, but within the Paudyami Tidhi - even if it is lasts for only twenty minutes! In Hyderabad, the time frame that one should finish this task would be before (sunrise time).

The bath is supposedly to be taken after massaging the entire body using sesame oil. 'Kunkudu kaaya' (Hindi - Rita) juice, Amla seed flour or Shikakai in warm water should be used for shampooing. And, of course, as with every major festival, new clothes should be worn.

Nimbakusuma Bhakshanam

The next step is to offer prayers to the Sun, before accepting the Vepapoota pachhadi (Neem flower pickle) on an empty stomach.

The ingredients that go into the Vepapoota pachchadi are (approximately equal parts):

	Fresh bloom from the Neem tree (plucked the same day!)		Jeelakarra (Cumin)
	Tender and raw leaves of the mango tree		Miriyalu (Black pepper)
	Fresh Jaggery		Asafoetida
	Tender leaves of the Ashoka tree		Saindhava Lavanam (a type of salt used in Ayurvedic medicines)
	Fresh, raw tamarind		Patiki bellam (Rock candy)
	Vaamu (Ajwain, Carum copticum)		Pasupu (Turmeric powder)