Ugadi with Mother's Day?

This time mother's day seems so different. It seems no coincidence*, that it has come together with Ugadi, the Hindu New year , celebrated in Bangalore and many other parts of India. ( sometimes it seems another part of India has a new year every month, but that's another story).

Ugadi on Mother's day

The day takes me back in time to the 2nd of April, 2023 when i was in Bangalore with mum and had cajoled and coxed her successfully to visit the Meenakshi temple nestled closeby. The temple itself, an architectural marvel like many other temples , with a central sanctum for the idols and lots of green mango trees flanking the surrounds, was unmissable , but for some strange reason ,mum had completely missed visiting it. Even more strange, the miss was despite her love for temples and despite her own name being "Meenakshi" !

Anyhow, back to the day when we successfuly reached the Meenakshi temple with the thought that a few minutes would be enough, but were pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be Ugadi. For that meant the temple was dressed up in up beautifully in a plethora of colours, with marigolds, dahlias and roses, lovely fragrant jasmines and music adding to the aura around. We immediately felt a holy presence envelope us and blessings showering from above, and we came away with the feeling that it wasnt just. a chance visit, but something deeply destined for us. Isnt that true of life too ?

Today, with Ugadi returning along with Mother's day, with colourful Holi just past , listening to the soulful "o rangrez- the song of colours " that just popped up on my feed , i get the same feeling - that mum is smiling from her heavenly abode and telling us, that things are destined to be. The universe seems to be coming together to bless all mothers with a fresh start that signifies the coming of Ugadi. Dedicated to celebrating new beginnings, the festival includes worship of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe in Hinduism.

The new year festival is also celebrated across different parts of india as Gudi Padwa, Bhigu, Naba Barsha, Baisakhi with sweets, rangoli, flowers, and most importantly the Ugadi Pachadi , a special chutney made of six ingredients namely, neem flowers, chilli powder, tamarind, mango, jaggery and salt - signifying the meaning of life - a mixture of sweet, sour, bitter and spicy flavours, the very flavours that make up life  ..

Happy Ugadi, and Happy mother's day , may they bring joyful new beginnings to everyone!

Regards

Aina Rao

The amblingindian- quirky reads on India and Life !

• another coincidence, or destiny maybe, that i woke up at 4 am to write this blog. 4 am being the Brahma mahurat , the time of the day that Brahma created this world, the time of the day when creativity comes truly alive and can be felt, what a heavenly feeling !

Watch the classical masterpeice - O rangrez from #bhaagmilkhabhaag below