Vasanthotsava for Ugadi
Bedecked in green, the City stood in waiting for the arrival of Ugadi, a new beginning, an occasion once more to reinforce family bonds, ties of friendship.
Kannadigas and Telugus call it Ugadi, and Maharashtrians celebrate the day as Gudi Padwa, Sindhis know it as Cheti Chand. Tuesday will unfold with special poojas in the morning and distribution of the traditional bevu-bella (neem and jaggery) among family and friends.
That is symbolic enough to show that life has its moments of happiness and sadness and it must be accepted together with the same sense of equanimity.
Monday was mostly spend buying new clothes and preparing a variety of dishes including Mango rice made from the raw mangoes, first in the season. Sweet dish ‘Obattu/Holige’ made from coconut and jaggery was a must.
For the Telugus, the celebration is on similar lines. Telugu speaking Prof K V Rajashekhar explained, "We make 'pacchadii' a paste of neem, jaggery and mango and distribute among family and friends. As a sweet dish, Obattu/Holige made of dal and in the evening we visit the temple to listen to the panchangam to know about the New Year."
In Bangalore, the new year had a precursor encapsulated as the Vasanthotsava festival. At a music show organized at the Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain, singer Pallavi enthralled audiences with her sooth and melodius voice.
