5 Ways You Can Celebrate Ugadi with Your Family

Unlike the rest of the world, Indians celebrate their New Year on different dates in March, each with its own name and traditions. For instance, people from Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh celebrate Ugadi 2023 as their New Year, which falls on March 22 this year according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Ugadi marks the beginning of a new era and is a favourite festival of kids as it's full of fun, colours, delicious food, and merriment.

If you're looking for ways to celebrate Ugadi 2023 with your family and kids, here are five ideas to make it memorable while keeping the festival's sanctity intact:

1. Start Cleaning and Decoration

One of the most important aspects of 2023 Ugadi is the purification of homes and the decoration of households with mango and neem leaves, toranams, and rangolis. The cleaning and decoration signify the fresh start and the welcoming of a new year.

To start, gather all the cleaning supplies such as brooms, mops, dusters, and cleaning agents. Assign cleaning tasks to every family member, including the children, to ensure everyone participates and feels involved. While cleaning, make sure to discard any unwanted or expired items, and donate any usable items to those in need. This is a great opportunity to teach children about the importance of giving back and instill the values of kindness and compassion in them.

Once the cleaning is done, it’s time to decorate the house. You can use strings of flowers, mango leaves, and other decorative items to adorn your home. Make sure to focus on your puja area and the entrance of your house, as they are considered the most important areas of the home.

2. Enjoy Delicious Food Together

Ugadi is a festival of food, and there are many delicious traditional dishes that are prepared for the occasion. From Andhra Pradesh's “Pulihora” to Karnataka's “Holige,” the dishes are unique to each state and are prepared with seasonal ingredients. One of the most iconic dishes of Ugadi is the “Ugadi Pachadi” which is a mixture of six different tastes that signify the different emotions one experiences in life.

To celebrate Ugadi with your family, prepare a festive feast together with everyone contributing to the cooking process. Encourage your kids to take an active part in the kitchen, and make it a fun experience for everyone. Enjoy the food together as a family, and share stories and laughter while relishing the delicious flavours.

3. Have A Rangoli-Making Competition

Rangoli is an integral part of Ugadi celebrations, and it symbolizes welcoming good luck and prosperity into the house. It’s a great opportunity for family members to showcase their creativity and bond over a fun activity. You can create a friendly competition among family members by dividing into teams or working individually to create the most impressive rangoli.

Gather all the necessary materials such as coloured powders, flowers, and stencils to create your masterpiece. Involve your kids in the process and encourage them to invite their friends to participate. Once the rangolis are complete, take pictures to document the creations and share them with friends and family.

4. Exchange Greeting Cards

In the age of digital communication, exchanging greeting cards may seem outdated, but it’s a great way to convey your heartfelt wishes and emotions to your loved ones. This Ugadi, encourage your family to make handmade greeting cards and exchange them with one another. You can even make it a fun activity by keeping the sender’s identity anonymous and guessing who sent the card based on the message.

Gather all the necessary supplies such as colourful paper, pens, stickers, and other decorative materials. Set a theme related to Ugadi, and let your imagination run wild. You can even involve your children's friends and make it a community event.

5. Plant A Sapling

Planting a sapling is a symbolic gesture of sowing the seeds of new beginnings and growth. It’s a great way to teach children about the significance of nature and the importance of taking care of the environment.

To celebrate Ugadi, gather your family and plant a sapling in your backyard or a common area in your neighbourhood. Make sure to select a plant that’s suitable for the climate and soil conditions in your area. Encourage your children to take care.

Conclusion

Ugadi is a significant festival in India, marking the beginning of a new year in various regions. It's a time of joy, celebration, and new beginnings. Celebrating this festival with family and friends is a great way to bond and create lasting memories. By following the above ideas such as cleaning and decorating, enjoying delicious food together, having a rangoli-making competition, exchanging greeting cards, and planting a sapling, you can make this festival a memorable one while also preserving its sanctity.