The colours of Holi has faded and the spring season comes by with its freshness and vitality bringing with it the festival of Yugadi or Ugadi as it is called in most areas of South India. Yugadi is the New Year’s Day in the Hindu calendar. The word which is derived from the Sanskrit language means the beginning or the start of an era or age. The Hindu calendar is lunar based and Yugadi falls on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month called Chaitra, corresponding to March/April. This is the day Brahma the Creator, commenced creation.
Those who believe in Hindu astrology usually have their Astro forecast done on this day so that they have an insight into what the New Year is expected to bring along during the next twelve months. In some regions special dishes are prepared to symbolise different aspects of human experiences and emotions such as sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise. This day is called by different names in different regions of the motherland and there are also a variety of traditions that are associated with it.
This first day of the new Hindu year commences a holy period which lasts for nine days and nights with special emphasis placed on the nights. The first nine nights of this period constitutes a special holy period known as Navratri or Chaitra Navratri. This is a time for spiritual reawakening and as such frequent visits to temples are done. Hindus observe fasting and abstain from forbidden food and drink and perform worship unto God. The ninth day of this holy period brings forth yet another important aspect in the Hindu calendar, the observance of …..
…..Rama Nawami
"Nawmi tithi madhu masa punita, sukala paccha abhijita hariprita.
Madhyadivasa ati sita na ghama, pavana kala loka bisrama."
“The ninth day of the bright fortnight of the sacred month of Chaitra, the moon entered into the constellation of Abhijit, which is so dear to Hari. The sun was at its meridian and the day was neither hot nor cold. A cool and fragrant breeze was blowing for it was a holy time which gave tranquility to the world.”
These were the conditions under which Rama, the 7th incarnation or avatar of Vishnu appeared as the son of Emperor Dashratha and Queen Kausalya. Many people interpret this to be the birth of Rama but is it not silly to think that He who is imperishable can take birth? Anything that is born must eventually perish. How then can He who is the imperishable be thought of as having been born? He appeared in His four armed form as the one and only Master of the Universe.
Kausalya, Queen of Ayodhya who was destined to be His earthly mother addressed Him as “O Infinite One” and pondered on how she should praise Him, the one whom the Vedas and the Puranas declare as transcending beyond all measure, who is above knowledge and beyond attributes. She continued, ”You who the Vedas and holy men declare to be an ocean of mercy, a repository of all virtues, who is the Lord of Lakshmi and lover of his devotees, has revealed Himself for my good. You who the Vedas proclaim that every pore in your body contains multitudes of universes, brought forth by your own illusionary powers stayed in my womb. Give up this superhuman form and take the form which is so dear to a mother’s heart, the form that brings joy from childlike activities.” Hearing these words, Rama the Lord and Master, who is beyond the reach of the senses, took the form of an infant and began to cry as any other infant would. Thus, marks the descent of Rama the 7th incarnation of Vishnu!
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