A Day of Many Festivals - Ugadi/Gudi Padwa, first day of Chaitra Navaratri

Wow, what a day !!! Different parts of India celebrate different festivals this day of Chaitra Maasa. All in all, it is a festive day for many of us.


In states of Andhra and Karntaka, people welcome the Hindu new year, new harvest and new season and call it UGADI or YUGADI (उगादी ఉగాది). 


In State of Maharashtra, people welcome the new Hindu new year, new harvest and new season and call it GUDI PADWA (गुडी पडवा).


In most of the India, today marks the first day of CHAITRA NAVARATRI (चैत्र नवरात्रि). It is also called Vasanta Navaratri in some regions. This is a 9 day festival.


So, pretty much entire Hindu community of India celebrates one or the other festival this day of the year.


And of course, every festival means lots of good yummy food. In Andhra, the specialties include  Ugadi Pachhadi (A chutney made of different flavors like Neem flower, tamarind, jaggery, raw mangoes, honey etc.) Abbatlu/Bobbatlu, Boorelu, Paravannam, Pullihora etc. In Maharashtra the specialties include Shrikhand, Poori, Puran poli etc. For navaratri, there is nothing special as such, I mean make anything you like to eat as mostly people fast.


What am I making today? Hmmm... 


I am planning to make Boorelu, Idli Rawa Pullihora and Rice Kheer tonight. I say tonight as I am fasting for Navaratri, so no special food for lunch.


I will post the recipes later, may be tomorrow or late tonight. 


I wish everyone HAPPY UGADI/GUDI PADWA & NAVARATRI.


Take care,
Priya