The Saka New Year day is heralded on the First dayof the month of Vaisakh, or Chitra around the middle of April. It is a day of thanksgiving and prayer. The new almanac (Panchang) is read on this day. Astrologers note the ascendant planet and signs of the Zodiac, and predict fortunes, crops and events of the year feasts, fasts, festivals and family events are planned for the year.
THE LEGEND
In the ancient text of the Vishnupurana, the king of the year is the planet in ascendance, and ministers are the stars. The blessings of the ruling planet are sought to bring good fortune for kings and commoners.
In most parts of the country, the New Year is the harbinger of spring, when nature is at its most joyous and colourful with promise of new life and prosperity.
DESCRIPTION
Early in the morning, a kolam (alpana) of red ochre and rice flour is drawn outside the front door. After the traditional oil bath, a fresh kolam can be drawn. This is followed by readings from the panchang. This can be done at home by calling a priest, or by going to a temple. Tarpanam in the memory of departed parents is done by the head of the household in many communities. A refreshing drink of diluted yoghurt is offered to all. Some special dishes made on the New Year's day are payasam, panakam, kosumbari and pachadi with six flavours of life: sweet, bitter, sour, hot (pungent), salty and astringent.
Vishu, New Year's Day in Kerala
Vishu occupies a unique place among various festivals and social celebrations in Kerala. Whereas almost all festivals are associated with some religious occasion, Vishu is significant by itself. Unlike other occasions, it is observed quietly and solemnly, without feasting, festivity, pomp and show.
Vishu is observed every year on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (mid-April), generally 14 April.
DESCRIPTION
It is believed that the fortunes of the entire year depend on the nature of the object first seen on the morning of Vishu. To ensure an auspicious start, a number of auspicious objects are collected on the previous day. In a circular vessel of bell metal called 'uruli' about two cups of raw rice are placed. A newly washed good quality cloth is folded and kept on the rice.
The auspicious objects including betel leaves and nuts, yellow flowers, golden yellow ripe cucumber, a mirror, yellow flowers of the Konna tree (Cassia fistula) and a grantha or religious book of palm leaves are arranged decoratively on the folded cloth. A coconut is broken in halves. Each half is filled with oil and a wick is placed inside.
The coconut is placed with the other objects. When lit all the other objects are illuminated. A bell metal oil lamp is kept lighted at one side of the 'uruli'. The entire arrangement is called "Kani".
Before dawn on Vishu day one of the family members (generally a senior member) awakes and lights the lamps, and looks at the Kani. Then she or he awakes the others. One by one young and old see the auspicious "Kani". Great care is taken so that no other object is seen before seeing the auspicious "Kani". This is followed by the giving of gifts. The eldest member of the family distributes a few gold or silver coins to the younger family members.
The first day after the new moon in the month of Chitra, in end-March, or early April is the start of the New Year in Karnataka. It is believed that on this auspicious day Brahma created the world. Vishnu took his first avatar of "matsya", a fish, and rescued the world from flood waters.
Houses are cleaned and decorated with mango-leaf torans, and kolams. After the ritual morning bath, new clothes are worn. The family gathers for puja, an offering of "bewu bella" a special pachadi of neem flowers and jaggery is made to the deity and is then distributed as prasad. Youngsters do namaskar and receive the blessings of elders. There is a traditional feast.
In the afternoon, an elder member of the family reads the new almanac, predicting special events and festivals.
In many communities, on the day after Ugadi, there is a grand feast of vegetarian or non-vegetarian delicacies.
Ugadi - Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
New Year day, the Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is celebrated on the first day after the new moon of the month of Chitra, which occurs during end-March or early April.
The auspicious day is ushered by the cleaning and decorating of houses. New clothes are bought for the family, kolams are drawn, and mango-leaf torans adorn the doorways. After bath and puja a special pachadi (Ugadi pachadi) is offered to the deity, and distributed to the family and to all visitors on that day. The many flavoured pachadi symbolizes acceptance of many facets of the New Year. It also has medicinal and digestive properties. In the afternoon reading out of the new almanac is done in a temple or a meeting place. The auspicious and ominous portents during the coming year are read out, together with predictions of rainfall, crop production, earthquakes or floods. Ugadi day marks the start of the auspicious Vasanta Navaratri or nine days of the spring festival.
THE LEGEND
In the ancient text of the Vishnupurana, the king of the year is the planet in ascendance, and ministers are the stars. The blessings of the ruling planet are sought to bring good fortune for kings and commoners.
In most parts of the country, the New Year is the harbinger of spring, when nature is at its most joyous and colourful with promise of new life and prosperity.
DESCRIPTION
Early in the morning, a kolam (alpana) of red ochre and rice flour is drawn outside the front door. After the traditional oil bath, a fresh kolam can be drawn. This is followed by readings from the panchang. This can be done at home by calling a priest, or by going to a temple. Tarpanam in the memory of departed parents is done by the head of the household in many communities. A refreshing drink of diluted yoghurt is offered to all. Some special dishes made on the New Year's day are payasam, panakam, kosumbari and pachadi with six flavours of life: sweet, bitter, sour, hot (pungent), salty and astringent.
Vishu, New Year's Day in Kerala
Vishu occupies a unique place among various festivals and social celebrations in Kerala. Whereas almost all festivals are associated with some religious occasion, Vishu is significant by itself. Unlike other occasions, it is observed quietly and solemnly, without feasting, festivity, pomp and show.
Vishu is observed every year on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (mid-April), generally 14 April.
DESCRIPTION
It is believed that the fortunes of the entire year depend on the nature of the object first seen on the morning of Vishu. To ensure an auspicious start, a number of auspicious objects are collected on the previous day. In a circular vessel of bell metal called 'uruli' about two cups of raw rice are placed. A newly washed good quality cloth is folded and kept on the rice.
The auspicious objects including betel leaves and nuts, yellow flowers, golden yellow ripe cucumber, a mirror, yellow flowers of the Konna tree (Cassia fistula) and a grantha or religious book of palm leaves are arranged decoratively on the folded cloth. A coconut is broken in halves. Each half is filled with oil and a wick is placed inside.
The coconut is placed with the other objects. When lit all the other objects are illuminated. A bell metal oil lamp is kept lighted at one side of the 'uruli'. The entire arrangement is called "Kani".
Before dawn on Vishu day one of the family members (generally a senior member) awakes and lights the lamps, and looks at the Kani. Then she or he awakes the others. One by one young and old see the auspicious "Kani". Great care is taken so that no other object is seen before seeing the auspicious "Kani". This is followed by the giving of gifts. The eldest member of the family distributes a few gold or silver coins to the younger family members.
The first day after the new moon in the month of Chitra, in end-March, or early April is the start of the New Year in Karnataka. It is believed that on this auspicious day Brahma created the world. Vishnu took his first avatar of "matsya", a fish, and rescued the world from flood waters.
Houses are cleaned and decorated with mango-leaf torans, and kolams. After the ritual morning bath, new clothes are worn. The family gathers for puja, an offering of "bewu bella" a special pachadi of neem flowers and jaggery is made to the deity and is then distributed as prasad. Youngsters do namaskar and receive the blessings of elders. There is a traditional feast.
In the afternoon, an elder member of the family reads the new almanac, predicting special events and festivals.
In many communities, on the day after Ugadi, there is a grand feast of vegetarian or non-vegetarian delicacies.
Ugadi - Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
New Year day, the Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is celebrated on the first day after the new moon of the month of Chitra, which occurs during end-March or early April.
The auspicious day is ushered by the cleaning and decorating of houses. New clothes are bought for the family, kolams are drawn, and mango-leaf torans adorn the doorways. After bath and puja a special pachadi (Ugadi pachadi) is offered to the deity, and distributed to the family and to all visitors on that day. The many flavoured pachadi symbolizes acceptance of many facets of the New Year. It also has medicinal and digestive properties. In the afternoon reading out of the new almanac is done in a temple or a meeting place. The auspicious and ominous portents during the coming year are read out, together with predictions of rainfall, crop production, earthquakes or floods. Ugadi day marks the start of the auspicious Vasanta Navaratri or nine days of the spring festival.
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