Ugadi was celebrated with verve and gusto by our Telegu and Kannada brethren scattered in this temple town. It is a fore runner of Tamil New Years day. Let us glimpse as to how the Telegu speaking Diaspora welcomed Ugadi. Their purchase for the festival started well in advance to avoid last minute rush. We bought new clothes in our own place instead of trekking to the city stated Kanthamani. Ladies the back bone of our society woke up early in the morning and had the customary oil bath. They decorated the entrance with intricately designed Kolam with Kavi ( red paste ) festooning the borders. The corners of the threshold was smeared with turmeric and Kumkum. Saroja was on her heels to decorate the pooja with flowers and garlands. The oil lamp-Kuthuvilakku stood as a sentinel radiating brightness and dispelling darkness. Since it is a usual practice to place the new almanac-Panchangam in the pooja men were particular to but it before hand. Kanthamani was very particular about preparing Chendu. What is it? It is an authentic Andhra dish which is a mixture of neem flowers ,mango, jaggery and tamarind. Different tastes should be consumed on Ugadi declared Rama.

The array of dishes included Vada, Payasam, tasty bolis which were offered to God as Neiveidhyam. After the Pooja the reading of Panchangam was done by a vedic scholar.

Pamchanga Sravanam � to declare the presiding deity of the year is a routine which is considered very auspicious. Temple visits an integral part of any festival was done in the evenings. The heavy lunch was followed by a siesta.

For the Kannadigas it is not only a spiritual event but also a social one . Ugadi starts from the previous night itself. The houses were adorned with Maavilai Thoranam and the entrance with the customary lotus kolam which showcased the skill of the ladies. Kala set the ball rolling for Ugadi a week in advance. After the ritualistic oil bath they wore new dresses. It just like Deepavali minus crackers declared Prema who was waking up her children to have a rendezvous with the Gods in the pooja. I wondered why she was harping on the pooja? Thus I went to the Pooja and was welcomed by a huge mirror.

With a mind boggling variety of vegetables and fruits spread out in front of it. After propitiating the Elephant God Ganesha women performed Tulasi pooja. We revere the new Panchangam called Madhwa Bandhu and we perform Pooja to it exclaimed Nagiah who prayed fervently for peace prosperity and health. The important feature of any NEW Year day is the consumption of neem flowers stated Bhuvana who was on a neem hunting expedition around the streets of nanganallur. The mixture of neem,jaggery,mango and tamarind was offered to the Gods .To beat the heat as Ugadi occurs in summer Neer moor and panagam was also apart of the neivedhiyam. The pooja was followed by a gargantuan lunch spreads which included hot bolis,vadas payasam etc.

Since life is a smorgasbord of emotions the above mentioned special delicacy which incorporates all the tastes in life is prepared in every house. Our unique food culture which amalgamates with the festival is the pulse beat of our heritage.

We are looking forward for tamil new year which is a fore runner of Ugadi smiled Krishna.