Wednesday 10 April 2013

Cutting Chai with Bhawana Somaaya - Day 83

Guddi Padwa &Chaitra Navratri
11.4.2013, Mumbai

Today is the first day of the Chaitra month which marks the New Year -Guddi Padwa for Maharashtrians and Hindu Konkanis in India. It is said that Lord Bhramha created the universe on this day and is the most auspicious day to start any new venture or to get married without a mahurat.

It is said that Lord Ram killed King Bali on this day and residents of Ayodha celebrated his victory with preparations of his return to the kingdom. So they washed the streets, decorated their homes with flowers and put up individual flags – made of long sticks –cloth and upturned vessel to express their happiness. It is a tradition that has continued over the years.

Today also marks the start of a new year in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka popularly known as Ugadi Pachchadi –a dish involving five ingredients-jaggery, tamarind, mangoe, neem and water. The philosophy being that we absorb the sweet and the bitter experiences of life in the right spirit and move on.

Starting from today begins Chaitra Navratri dedicated to the worship of Lord Ram - I will celebrate the coming eight days sharing excerpts of Ramcharitra Katha as narrated by Morari Bapu at Kailas Manas 700.

Bhawana Somaaya/ www.bhawanasomaaya.com

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