Happy Ugadi

Ugadi Subhakanshalu.
Wishing you all a very Happy NewYear.

Ugadi is the New Year’s Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. In Andhra and Karnataka it is called Ugadi, whereas in Maharashtra it’s called Gudipadava. Ugadi marks the beginning of new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon’s orbit.

On Ugadi we make Ugadi Pachchadi, which has tamarind, jaggery, raw mango and neem flowers. The significance behind this preparation is that life is a mixture of good and bad, joy and sorrow and all of them have to be treated alike.

To make Ugadi Pachchadi:

Tamarind pulp
Jaggery
Small pieces of raw mango
Neem flowers (In U.S we don’t find neem flowers, so I made mine with out them)
Small pieces of banana
Little bit of red chillie powder and
A pinch of salt

Soak tamarind in water for few minutes or microwave for 20 seconds. Squeeze the pulp, the consistency should be little thick (if u feel it’s too thick, u can always add water). Now add jaggery, mango, banana, neem flowers, red chillie powder and salt.

Offer to the god and then eat as prasadam.

Previously posted on mar 19th ‘07