Telugu Association in Chch marks Ugadi and Ram Navami

The Telugu Association of South Island New Zealand (TasiNZ), an informal group in existence since 2006 that became an incorporated society last year, celebrated Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, and Ram Navami, in Christchurch last Sunday.

Ugadi or Yugadi, as it is called in the Deccan region of India, marks the commencement of the Hindu New Year by recognising a change in the lunar orbit. It also signals the advent of spring. The first day of bright half of the lunar month Chaitra is considered to be the day for Ugadi celebration, which generally falls in the months of March/April of the English calendar.

According to Hindu traditions, the day is dedicated to Lord Brahma – the almighty creator, who began his creation on this very day. Celebrations include decorating houses with mango leaves and rangolis, and ritualistic worship to pray for good health and prosperity in the coming year. The nine-day long spring festival of Vasanta Navratri begins on this day and concludes on Ram Navami.

In Christchurch too, much like in Andhra Pradesh, the celebrations included lighting a lamp, prayers, poetry recitals, dance and Telugu song performances. Elders of the community also shared stories about Lord Ram and noted the importance of Ugadi in the Southern Indian culture.

Another tradition practised during Ugadi is to look into the Panchanga Sravanam, which are astrological predictions for the coming new year, delivered in the form of recitation of the almanac (new year calendar). Lavanya Kasibhatla, a member of TasiNZ, read the annual predictions for all the zodiac signs for the new Panchanga.

The afternoon ended with lunch comprising traditional Andhra cuisine of this festival including dishes like Pulihora, Bobbatlu, and Ugadi Pachchadi – a dish prepared with jaggery, raw mangoes, neem flowers and raw tamarind.