Ugadi - Philosophy Embedded
Ugadi - Technically Yugadi (yuga + aadi), which in Sanskrit means 'beginning of a new era'. The states of Andhra, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra & Goa celebrate this festival every year on the first day of the first month 'Chaitra' of the Hindu calendar. As with every other Indian festival, even this festival focuses on two things. God and food! Obviously the latter assumes greater importance than the former! I am still belching and burping as an after effect of a sumptuous lunch. But one specialty makes this festival stand out for me. 'Ugadi Pacchadi' (pacchadi meaning chutney). This one dish manages to impart a deep philosophical meaning not just to this festival but to life in general! Apart from the mouthwatering dishes, there is this one peculiar dish which is not tasty and which is not meant to be tasty. But people from the Telugu speaking regions prepare it and eat it. This Ugadi Pacchadi doesn’t have a standard recipe. But the formula is