RIVERSIDE: "Ugadi comes from two words. Adi meaning beginning and Yuga meaning a cycle," explained Head Priest Dr Shukavak Dasa during the introduction he gave Sunday, March 25 in Riverside's Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.
"This festival marks the beginning of the new year in certain states of Southern India and the cultural program we are about to see will allow us to experience different rasas or tastes and flavors of those places." Festivals Committee Chairperson Suma Hareesh introduced the program coordinators; Sujatha Upadhyayula, Sumati Shaker, Meena Kumar and Kanchan Patankar.
Hosts Bipin and Beena Patel (HQ Printers) were thanked for sponsoring the program and havan. After Vishnu Sahasranaam, led by Pani and Raji Chakrapani, the main feature of the Ugadi celebration, the cultural program began. It featured Mandir youth dressed in clothing native to their regions. Apoorva Panse described how Maharashtrians celebrate Gudi Padwa on the first day of Chaitra. A Gudipadwa, a flag decorated with colorful flowers with an upturned kalash on the top, was prominent in the Mandir. In Maharashtra, gudis are hung outside of houses.
They symbolize nature's bounty, which is why they are covered with flowers and sometimes coconuts and mango leaves. Gudi padwa is considered an auspicious day. It is one of the 3 1/2 days in the Hindu Lunar calendar whose every moment is considered auspicious.
The second item of the cultural program was a popular song from Maharashtra, sung by mother and daughter Kanchan and Amisha Patankar. Sai Upadhyayula gave a description of Ugadi in Andra Pradesh, where it is celebrated with religious zeal and merriment. Gifted dancer Pallavi Bugga performed Kuchipudi, the classical dance of Andhra Pradesh. Ugadi is also celebrated in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Kannada. Sheela Shekar, Shanta Hareesh and Vikram Kumar each spoke about Ugadi celebrations in their regions. People consume Neem and jaggery. The bitter Neem and the sweet jaggery are compared to life, which is a mixture of good and bad, sweet and bitter. This reminds us that all experiences should be treated with equanimity.
On Ugadi we should make resolutions to change our way of life and purify our behavior by giving up bad habits. As the cultural program continued, a talented group from Diamond Bar played a selection of bhajans from Kannada. Their musicians accompanied Pani and Raji Chakrapani for an impromptu bhajan performance. After the performance, each participant was given a small token gift and the program concluded with arati followed by maha Prasad.
Ugadi is considered the happiest day of the year. It marks the beginning of new life as the winter season ends and we see budding leaves, flowers and fruits. The colorful blossoms of spring signify growth, prosperity, and well-being. Ugadi is the most auspicious time to start new ventures.
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