Ugadi is the (lunar ) new year celebrated in Andhra Pradesh (as Telugu new year), Karnataka (Ugadi Habba). It is celebrated as Gudi Padava in Maharastra. It falls on the first day after new moon day in the month of Chaitra. "Padava" is the first day after new moon or full moon day. A new lunar calender is purchased and puja is performed. Gudi means flag staff ( also called Indradwaja ). Usually a thin bamboo pole about 2 metres long is decorated with alternate stripes of red ochre and white colour. A new cloth is tied to the pole with mango leaves with some flowers added. A cup made from silver is inverted on the pole. We usually place the new almanac at the base of the staff on a plank and offerings are given. This day is also related to the victory of the army of Shivaji Maharaj.
Of course like any festival of India, rangoli is an important part of the celebrations and obviously Rangoli-sans-dots should have some for this occasion and they are there below.One of the important dishes prepared for Ugadi/Gudi Padva is made from neem flowers, green chillies, jaggery, salt and tamarind signifying that life has ups and downs. The lunch is usually heavy. Later the almanac is read to know about festivals, eclipses and other astronomical (or astrological ) information for the year.
![veppam-poo-pachadi.jpg]( "kosambhir and veppam poo pachadi")
The next rangoli, is a combination of traditional rangoli, free hand designs and an auspicious rangoli border that I tried for Ugadi. The padi kolam at the centre has floral and traditional decorations on each edge. Four floral designs with three petals have been added on the four sides. A "thoranam" has been added at the top for an auspicious occasion celebration..
The next one is also a combination of padi kolam, free hand rangoli and border designs drawn for Ugadi only difference is that the central padi kolam is drawn by my mother-in-law for festivals and I have not drawn the traditional one but added a few colours. The design is decorated with flowers at the periphery and more designs and patterns on the outside of the rangoli. Four designs with spiral patterns and simple borders have been added at the four corners as shown in the image. Since Tamil New Year is approaching we can use these rangolis for Tamil New Year also. Such colourful and grand but simple rangoli designs can also be drawn for Navratri golu or kolu
![Ugadi-festival-rangoli-134-a.jpg]( "auspicious rangoli double line free hand for Ugadi")
![festival-rangoli-134-b.jpg]( "traditional plus border and free hand rangoli manai kolam")
![festival-rangoli-134-c.jpg]( "combination of padi kolam and free hand design")
After Ugadi the next important festival is Ram Navami. We celebrate the festival with panagam, buttermilk and kosimbhir. All these have a cooling effect since the festival comes during April when it is quite hot in Tamil Nadu. Panagam is prepared by adding jaggery powder in water. Add cardamom, dry ginger. Add lemon juice to get this recipe.
Neer mor - To buttermilk we add unripe mango pieces and cucumber. Seasoning is done with mustard and cumin seeds. Kosimbhir is a type of salad made from moong dhall soaked in water for half an hour. Small pieces of cucumber and carrots ( raw, grated and of course washed ). If mango pieces are added lemon juice extracted from a piece of lemon is not required.
Another important offering for Sri Rama Navami is rava laddu.
![Ugadi-celebration-1.jpg]( "flowers including pink rose offered for dhwaja")
![Ugadi-celebration-2.jpg]( "fruits and coconuts offering for dhwaja")
Neer mor - To buttermilk we add unripe mango pieces and cucumber. Seasoning is done with mustard and cumin seeds. Kosimbhir is a type of salad made from moong dhall soaked in water for half an hour. Small pieces of cucumber and carrots ( raw, grated and of course washed ). If mango pieces are added lemon juice extracted from a piece of lemon is not required.
Another important offering for Sri Rama Navami is rava laddu.
Of course like any festival of India, rangoli is an important part of the celebrations and obviously Rangoli-sans-dots should have some for this occasion and they are there below.One of the important dishes prepared for Ugadi/Gudi Padva is made from neem flowers, green chillies, jaggery, salt and tamarind signifying that life has ups and downs. The lunch is usually heavy. Later the almanac is read to know about festivals, eclipses and other astronomical (or astrological ) information for the year.
Ugadi special - Neem flower pachadi (veppam poo pachadi ) and kosambhir
Ugadi muggulu / Ugadi kolam / rangoli
The rangoli below signifies the importance of Ugadi. I have decorated it with mango leaves just to give a festival ambiance. It is a free hand rangoli that I had sent few months back to a Tamil magazine. It was not published. So I have decided to publish in Rangoli-sans-dots. The central design is a triangle with two lines. Circular patterns decorate each edge of the triangle. Double line patterns evolve from the area between the circular patterns. Finally the outside has a border rangoli. The entire design is filled with colourful lines and white dots. Also six simple flower patterns on the periphery have been added. To signify Ugadi a mango leaves decoration has been added at the top. A double line rangoli.
The next rangoli, is a combination of traditional rangoli, free hand designs and an auspicious rangoli border that I tried for Ugadi. The padi kolam at the centre has floral and traditional decorations on each edge. Four floral designs with three petals have been added on the four sides. A "thoranam" has been added at the top for an auspicious occasion celebration..
The next one is also a combination of padi kolam, free hand rangoli and border designs drawn for Ugadi only difference is that the central padi kolam is drawn by my mother-in-law for festivals and I have not drawn the traditional one but added a few colours. The design is decorated with flowers at the periphery and more designs and patterns on the outside of the rangoli. Four designs with spiral patterns and simple borders have been added at the four corners as shown in the image. Since Tamil New Year is approaching we can use these rangolis for Tamil New Year also. Such colourful and grand but simple rangoli designs can also be drawn for Navratri golu or kolu
After Ugadi the next important festival is Ram Navami. We celebrate the festival with panagam, buttermilk and kosimbhir. All these have a cooling effect since the festival comes during April when it is quite hot in Tamil Nadu. Panagam is prepared by adding jaggery powder in water. Add cardamom, dry ginger. Add lemon juice to get this recipe.
Neer mor - To buttermilk we add unripe mango pieces and cucumber. Seasoning is done with mustard and cumin seeds. Kosimbhir is a type of salad made from moong dhall soaked in water for half an hour. Small pieces of cucumber and carrots ( raw, grated and of course washed ). If mango pieces are added lemon juice extracted from a piece of lemon is not required.
Another important offering for Sri Rama Navami is rava laddu.
Ugadi Puja offerings
Offerings include flowers, fruits betel leaves and betel nuts, coconut, almonds and cashews shown are optional.
After Ugadi the next important festival is Ram Navami.
We celebrate the festival with panagam, buttermilk and kosimbhir. All these have a cooling effect since the festival comes during April when it is quite hot in Tamil Nadu. Panagam is prepared by adding jaggery powder in water. Add cardamom, dry ginger. Add lemon juice to get this recipe.Neer mor - To buttermilk we add unripe mango pieces and cucumber. Seasoning is done with mustard and cumin seeds. Kosimbhir is a type of salad made from moong dhall soaked in water for half an hour. Small pieces of cucumber and carrots ( raw, grated and of course washed ). If mango pieces are added lemon juice extracted from a piece of lemon is not required.
Another important offering for Sri Rama Navami is rava laddu.