Fortunately, the axis of the earth is tilted by little more than 23 degrees and this tilt causes seasonal changes. Patterns of rain, humidity, seasonal winds, temperature and many more elements of the atmosphere influence and create several climatic zones. The economy and daily lives of the people resemble a pattern in a particular climatic zone.
On this day of 13th April 2021, the people of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka celebrate the beginning of the new year, this year name of the Hindu year is 'Plava'. Ugadi,Yugadi or Gudi Padva literally mark the beginning of an era, marks the beginning of another year in the cycle of 60 years for those living between Kaveri River and Vindhya mountains. Plava is a word with polysemy, however, its main meaning is flooding and inundation. This calendar dates back to the Shalivahana era, initiated by the great king Satakarni.
The calibration of Ugadi is ascribed to Bhaskara II, a mathematician of the 12th century. He lived in Biddur, probably Ujjain, and was an intellectual successor of Brahmagupta of the 7th century. So a new year begins after the first new moon and on the sunrise after the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to North. On this day the Sun enters the Tauraus constellation. Therefore, some people celebrate the festival the next morning as the day is believed to start after the sun rise. In Tamilnadu, this festival is celebrated on 14th April, known as Tamizh Puthandu. The Hindus of Maharashtra term Ugadi as Gudi Padwa. The Sandhi's, people from Sindh, also celebrate the same day as Cheti Chand.
In the long course of time, the festival has acquired many new traditions. One among them is human race has become more philosophical and accepting of destiny in a positive manner. Though we love sweetmeats, like happiness and joy in life, we also eat bitter and pungent in little quantity as troubles and pain are unavoidable in real life. Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of the Indian subcontinent, proposes that there are six basic flavours in nature (sweet, salt, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent) that make our body and mind. We need to taste all these on the new year day and be prepared to face real-life, which is bitter for some and sweet for others.
The Sweet taste gives us gratification; the sour taste makes our mind alert. The salt flavour creates enthusiasm in us and the pungent flavour gives us clarity of perception. The bitter flavour helps us withhold the mind from senses and pleasures. The astringent flavour supports the mind to get organized and collected. Ultimately what we eat make our mind. The ingredients of Ugadi hotchpotch may change from one area to another depending on the availability of raw material. However, neem, mango, jaggery, salt have become universal and ubiquitous in this region. Jaggery stands for happiness, neem is for sorrow while raw mango is for a surprise. Green chillies represent anger and salt stands for fear. We may interpret as we like. The message of Ugadi is- we should not become the slaves of food. Today’s generation is living in affluence and facing the problem of plenty. Let us refrain from feasting and binge eating and save our health. Instead, focus on your goals and just eat just live not the other way around.
Also read : Heart Health Is The First Step To Health.
Without season change the life would be repetitive and dull. Let this Ugadi of Plava shower benevolence into our lives and protect us from the further onslaught of COVID-19.
