Awaiting the holiday!

Different feel

This year too, Ugadi has come up with its own specialities.

While many Bangaloreans are planning to celebrate the festival in a traditional manner, others have a slightly more non-traditional celebration lined up.

Kokila Ravi, who works at Mahyco, says, “Ugadi has been very special day for me since childhood. We wear new clothes and make some porun pullhi along with moong dal salad. Even my children are really excited about the festival.” She says the festival is not limited to only Kannadigas and even people from Maharashtra celebrate the new year. “We mix neem leaves with some molasses on this day to signify that life is full of bitter-sweet moments,” she says.

Abhijith Arkalgud, an engineering student, also has memories associated with the festival. “The day begins with wearing new clothes and then the entire house is decorated with flowers, especially the door where we hang a garland of mango leaves and neem leaves. Throughout the day, we have delicious savories like Holige, Payasam and Mavina Kaayi Chitranna,” he says. 

But even while many people rejoice the beginning of a new year, there are others who would be celebrating for a completely different reason. “I don’t celebrate Ugadi but am happy that it is on a Monday this time around. Any holiday especially one on a weekday is always great. I would be enjoying the day with my friends,” says Gaurav Chandra, a software professional.

Along with the Ugadi celebrations, Bangaloreans are also excited about the World Cup.
“I would just sit back and relax this coming weekend. All the excitement of the finale would probably get me overworked,” says Amit, a cricket buff.  So this Ugadi, while some would be busy celebrating the festival, others would be resting from the excitement that went by. “The last month has been a little stressful for cricket fans with phone calls to find scores, increased road rage to get home faster to watch the game etc. Monday will be a good way to just relax after the World Cup and plan the insanity for the IPL season,” says Sandeep Deb Varman, a content writer.