Festivals in our country are celebrated with much fervour and joy. They bring people together and spread happiness and good cheer. We, at ABFRL too, believe in the spirit of togetherness and sharing. We reflect on the many good-spirited endeavours and beginnings taken up by the ABFRL family as we celebrate Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Pôhela Boishakh, Pana Sankranti, Vishu and Tamil Puthandu.
Festive New Beginnings with Ugadi
Ugadi marks the New Year in Karnataka, AP and Telangana, and the beginning of new calendar called Hosa Shubha Kruthi Samvatsara in Kannada. We tie mango leaves at the main door to welcome the goddess to our home. The festive feast includes two main delicacies, Mavinkai Chintranna (raw mango rice) and holige (puran poli) and we consume neem and jaggery on this day as a reminder to that we need to take both happiness equally in our stride. Apart from a simple pooja, we wear new clothes and celebrate with family and friends.
Ringing in good luck and happiness with Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padwa, a festival that marks the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma. As a result, Gudi Padwa is one of the most important Hindu festivals, and it is thought to bring a lot of good luck, success, wealth, and happiness. Like every year, this year also I celebrated Gudi Padwa with my family. We normally hang an alloy vessel to a stick which is usually known as “Gudi”. It is being followed by some delicious food and sweets. Wish you all a very Happy Gudi Padwa!
Fresh Beginnings with Pôhela Boishakh
Pohela Boishakh is a celebration of our Bengali roots and culture, beautified by its simplicity. No matter where we are, our family revels in the beginning of a promising new year. For those in the trading communities, the new accounting year commences and new books are opened. Those who aren’t a part of the business community usually mark the day with financial investments instead. We celebrate with a special pooja for Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, and spread festivities by gifting new clothes to our near and dear ones.
Cool vibes for the Auspicious Pana Sankranti
Pana Sankranti is the first Sankranti of the year. For us, consuming Bela Panna is considered auspicious. The Bela or bael leaves are offered to Lord Shiva and the tree is considered auspicious. The drink made from the pulp of the ripe bael fruit cools your body during summers and protects you from sunstrokes. The Panji (Panchang) or new calendar is drawn up for the year and good times and auspicious activities are planned according to this new calendar. Lord Mahavir or Hanuman is the main deity that we worship on the day. Apart from the panna, dishes such as ghanta tarkari, potala rasa, ambula rai etc are also prepared. It is a day for us to bond with friends and family over meals and exchange gifts.
Wonderful Times with Vishu & Tamil Puthandu
Being Part Tamilian and part Malayali meant enjoying festivities from both sides of the border. Vishu is celebrated praying to Lord Vishnu, the God of Time.The night before Vishu/Puthandu, the Vishukani is set up.A traditional kani includes an idol of Lord Krishna, flowers, fruits, vegetables, coconut, clothes, gold or money, a mirror and a lit lamp. The women in the house decorate doorsteps with Kolams made from rice powder paste. On the day of festival, we wake up early in the morning, with our closed eyes and the first thing one observes in the kani determines how the rest of the year will pan out. My childhood memories are ripe with stubbed toes, waking up with butterflies on what I will see first and trying to understand what the future holds for me. The icing on the cake though is collecting Vishukkaineetam or monetary blessings from elders. The celebration is a reminder that despite the harsh realities and bitterness in life, we still have happiness and should never give up hope.
ABFRL wishes you a happy new year and hopes the new calendar brings prosperity to you and your family.
