The Festivals of India

The Yugadi Festival

Yugadi (a.k.a. Ugadi) is the first day of the Hindu calendar (first day of the first month, the Chaitra).

In some parts of India, the tender leaves of neem mixed with jaggery are distributed on the occasion. The neem, extremely bitter in taste, and the sweet and delicious jaggery, signify the two conflicting aspects of human life -- joy and sorrow. The combination is exchanged between friends to symbolize renewed warmth and love overcoming the difficulties of life. It is also an occasion to forgive old debts and forget old disputes.

The Song of Yugadi

The Song of Yugadi
by D.R. Bendre

Ages after ages,
Millennium after millennium,
The Yugadi keeps on coming!
Bringing with it new joy
of the new year and of a new life.

I can hear the melody of the love-struck beetle,
on the golden lush fields.
As the Yugadi fills my 'neem'-filled life
with the aroma of a tender flower,
renewing the magic of the Master!
As the green leaves of Mango,
in all their magnificence,
wait for the arrow of Kama,
I can see the fleet of parrots,
camouflaged amidst the leaves, rejoicing
and singing the sweet music of a great harvest.

-Excerpted and Translated  from Kannada Original Yugadi,  by Da. Raa. Bendre
- Translation by Vikas Kamat

 

See Also:

Festivals of India
Tulasi Plant in Rangoli
Festivals of India

Festival Pictures
Sweetened Oil Seeds Mark the Sankranti FestivalSchool Girls at an Independence Day Procession Unifromed Boys Hoisting National FlagChariot of Honavar TownArtist Making Idol of GaneshGarudi Festival DollsThe Rakhi Festival
A Priest at BandihabbaCollege students celebrate the Holi festivalTemple on WheelsFireworks During the Deepavali FestivalWoman in festive clothing prepares for worshipA Lighted Christmas Tree Lord Ganesh rides his favorite mouse to earth
The Festival of LightsSanta Claus in a Rangoli Design for ChristmasRangoli to Welcome the New MillenniumUsing Rangoli to Greet Friends and NeighborsRangoli to wish Sankranti GreetingsLord Ganesh in a Floral RangoliA thatched roof temple with Dasara Greetings
Sacrificial TigerGirl Carrying Offerings to Lord KrishnaParade of the Mysore Golden HowdahPlaying Holi by exchanging ColorsPerformer During a Konkani Harvest Festival (Shigmo)Ram Mela FestivalVillagers during a Festival of Gopuja (Worship of Cow)
Temple Chariot, TiruparankundramPresidential Guards at the Republic Day Parade, New DelhiHidimba Devi FestivalCelebrating the Sankranti FestivalFestival Candy vendorA Farmer Carrying a Painted Ceremonial BasketMatam with Zanjeer
Navarathri Greetings.Pongal KolamFestival of ForgivenessSankranti DelicaciesTypical Sankranti Festival SnacksPruning of a Sugar-caneIndian Celebrations
Sugar-cane VendorThe Thread Changing CeremonyThe Vaikunta Ekadashi FestivalWoman with an Oil Lamp

Kamat's Potpourri The Timeless Theater The Festivals of India Yugadi (The Hindu New Years Day)