Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 13: Ugadi, pronounced as 'Yugadi', is being celebrated on Tuesday April 13. A section of Hindus will observe the New Year with 'Bisu' which will be celebrated on Wednesday.

The festival on Tuesday is based on the movements of the moon while Wednesday’s festival is based on solar movement Temples have prepared to organize these two important festivals in a grand manner on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Because of the concern over the second wave of coronavirus infection, the festival is being observed with the involvement of a limited number of devotees. The temples have been instructed to ensure that the devotees follow corona guidelines including wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing.

It is very rare that the two festivals come so close together. Markets were abuzz with activities on Monday as a result. Normally the festivals are celebrated 10 to 12 days apart. For the people of Tulunadu, both these days are considered holy. Sesame seeds, jaggery, flowers, tender cashew nuts, mango leaves, butter fruit, coccinia etc are mainly in demand relating to this festival.

Wearing of new clothes, eating of a concoction of neem leaves, jaggery and roasted chickpea splits is customary on Ugadi festival to drive home the importance of accepting both happy and sad occasions equanimously.