Hindus in the southern Indian regions of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana observe the festival of Ugadi. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival is observed on January 1 to commemorate the start of a new Hindu calendar year.

Hindus in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Goa celebrate this occasion under the names Samvatsaradi (Telugu new year) and Yugadi (Kannada new year). The words “Yugadi” and “adi,” which indicate the beginning and age respectively in Sanskrit, were combined to create the word. It denotes the start of a new era in plain terms. In Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, this festival is observed with great zeal and fervor.

Yugadi is a symbol of fresh starts. It is believed that on this day, Lord Brahma created the universe.

In the 12th century, Indian mathematician Bhaskaracharya identified Ugadi as the beginning of the new year.

In various states, the festival goes by distinct names. It is referred to as “Ugadi” by the inhabitants of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, “Gudi Padwa” by the inhabitants of Maharashtra, and “Cheti Chand” by the Sindhis. Each state celebrates this festival in a unique manner.

Hindu mythology holds that Lord Brahma began creating the world on the festival of Ugadi. To commemorate the start of Lord Brahma’s creation of humanity, the first day of the nine-day holiday known as Chaitra Navratri, which honors the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, is observed as Ugadi.

How the festival is celebrated?

The day is observed by painting vibrant designs called Muggulu on the floor, hanging torana—mango leaf decorations—on doors, purchasing and giving gifts like new clothing, helping the needy, giving oil massages and special baths, making and sharing pachadi, and visiting Hindu temples.

Ugadi is a holiday commemorating the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calender. Mango leaf decorations are created throughout the home, and colorful decorations are made for the floor. To commemorate Ugadi, people dress up, get oil massages, take baths, and then go to temples to perform puja.

Farmers assemble in big groups in the regions of Tumakuru and Chitradurga as they wait for the moon to rise. This is so that the harvest’s abundance can be predicted based on the moon’s orientation.

The populace gets up before dawn. They take a holy oil bath early in the morning and put on fresh clothes to begin the Ugadi day. As an auspicious record of the celebration, the women create lovely rangoli in the shape of floral patterns on the area right outside their homes.

On this day, it’s customary to buy and give presents like new clothing, donate to the needy, take a special bath and receive an oil treatment, prepare and share a special dish called pachadi, and go to Hindu temples.

People have several reasons to celebrate the new year during this well-known Indian holiday.

Home Decoration

People get up early to clean their homes, decorate them with flowers, and put on new outfits as this event approaches. Festoons made of mango leaves are fastened to the doorways.

Making of Rangoli

The residents of the house also create lovely rangolis and share presents on this day.

Visit Temples
In addition to this, people go to temples and participate in charity events. People also cook a variety of foods, such as Pachadi, a festive food for the Ugadi celebration.

Ugadi Pachadi

Ugadi Pachadi combines the flavors of sweet, acidic, salty, pungent, spicy, and bitter. It represents the fact that emotions such as joy, sadness, rage, disgust, fear, and surprise are all present in existence.

Neem flowers, fresh mango, jaggery, pepper powder, coconut, and salt are used to make this.

Tamarind – sour taste – unpleasantness.
Jaggery – sweet taste – joy or happiness.
Unripe or raw mango – tangy, astringent taste – surprise.
Neem flowers – bitter taste – sadness.
Black pepper – spicy, hot taste – anger.
Salt – salty taste – fear.

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International Women’s Day 2023: Get Inspired By the Indian Women

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The world celebrating the Women’s day today and this is the time to remembering our Sheroes. We never forget our unseen sheroes and should inspire by them to progess in our life. Here We have taken few legendary female sheroes from india who are the experts in their field.

1. Anandi Gopalrao Joshi – First Female Allopathic Doctor

Anandi Gopalrao Joshi holds the distinction of becoming her parents’ first female physician. However, her husband eventually changed it to Anandi. At the infant age of nine, she was wed off to Gopalrao Joshi. It’s interesting that Gopalrao insisted that Anandi receive a quality education. In the early 1800s, enrolling someone in a missionary school was practically unheard of.

Anandi was sent to the United States to study medicine once more by Gopalrao. She earned her MD in 1886 after completing a two-year medical programme at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Her thesis, titled “Obstetrics Among the Aryan Hindoos,” incorporated data from both old Ayurveda texts and American textbooks.

After finishing her education, she returned to India and was given the position of doctor in charge of the female ward at the Albert Edward Hospital. Regrettably, a year after her tenure, Anandibhai contracted TB. While medicine arrived for her all the way from America, there was no improvement. Her passing in 1887, at the young age of 21, was lamented all over the nation. Yet, she continues to be regarded as one of India’s most inspirational ladies. The Anandibai Joshi Prize for Medicine is given annually in recognition of Anandibhai’s services to Indian medicine by the Institute for Research and Documentation in Social Sciences in Lucknow.

2. Captain Prem Mathur – First Woman Commercial Pilot

Captain Prem Mathur has the distinction of becoming the first female commercial pilot in India. Born in 1910, Mathur was the youngest of five siblings. One of her brothers worked as a flight instructor, while the other one was employed in the same field.

Her younger brother recently purchased a few used military aircraft. One of these planes was sold to the Lanka Flying Club. In order to get the plane to the club, he then hired Captain Atal. Captain Atal was crucial to Mathur’s success.

Captain Atal made the decision to give her the controls and offer her instructions on how to fly the plane when she displayed no signs of fear while flying in the aircraft.

This inspired Mathur to give becoming a pilot some serious thought. She overcame many obstacles to receive training. She was turned down by a number of airlines, though. Captain Prem Mathur was persistent and would not let up till she attained her first success at the age of 38. In reality, when Indian Airlines employed Captain Prem Mathur as a co-pilot in 1953, India became the first nation to have a female pilot. Captain Prem Mathur’s narrative meets the mark if you’re looking for successful Indian ladies who inspire you. At the age of 82, Mathur passed away in the company of her loved ones in 1992. The ability of this woman to fly a plane across the skies of India with such tenacity inspires people of all ages.

3. Janaki Ammal – First Indian Woman Botanist

Introducing Janaki Ammal, the first woman from India to receive a PhD in botany. She grew up in a time when the majority of Indian women were denied access to education. She was born in 1897 into a blended household with 19 siblings. Ammal made the decision to continue her education when it was her turn to be married. She eventually earned a bachelor’s degree from Queen Mary’s College in Madras and an honours degree in botany from Presidency College in Madras. The Barbour Scholarship she received in 1924 allowed her to concentrate on plant cytology at the University of Michigan. She earned her doctorate in 1931, making history as the first Indian woman to do so in the United States.

Thereafter, she continued to make a number of important contributions to her field of expertise. Did you know that she is credited with producing the sweeter types of sugarcane in India? She spoke out against the hydroelectric project in Kerala’s Silent Valley as an activist. She also created other Indian eggplant hybrids. It makes sense that Janaki Ammal’s beautiful Magnolia Kobus Janaki Ammal blossom bears her name. She persevered in a patriarchal society to achieve her academic goals and establish herself. She is regarded as one of the top ten Indian ladies in history. Janaki Ammal was able to enhance the native sugarcane varieties of India while working at the Sugarcane Breeding Station in Coimbatore.

In order to work at the prestigious John Innes Institute, Janaki Ammal relocated to England in 1940. Together with Cyril Dean Darlington, she also co-wrote the book Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants. Later, in 1946, she joined the Royal Horticultural Society in Wisley as the organization’s first salaried female employee. She carried out her research on the Magnolia Kobus Janaki Ammal, a shrub that has dazzling white flowers and purple stamens, here.

The stunning Magnolia Kobus Janaki Ammal blooms every spring in the famed garden at Wisley, despite the fact that Ammal returned to India in 1950. when she was older. Janki Ammal developed been a fervent supporter of the conservation and importance of India’s native plants.

She received the Padma Shri from the Indian government in 1977. The Ministry of Environment and Forests created the National Prize of Taxonomy in her honour in 2000.

At the age of 86, she died in 1984. Janaki Ammal, hailed as a pioneer in her area, is often ranked among India’s Top 10 Most Inspiring Women. Quiet Valley’s continued biodiversity and the stunning magnolias at Wiseley’s are examples of Janaki Ammal’s work.

4. Miss C.B. Muthamma – First Woman IAS

Miss C.B. Muthamma, also known as Chonira Beliappa Muthamma, has a long list of firsts to her credit. She was the first woman to pass the 1948 IAS exam, the first woman to join the Indian Foreign Service, and the first woman to hold an Indian diplomatic post. She eventually rose to become the country’s first female ambassador from India. Muthamma was one of four kids born in 1924. Her mother insisted vehemently that her kids receive the greatest education possible. With the help of this assistance, Muthamma was able to graduate with three gold medals and then earn a master’s degree from Presidency College.

After successfully passing the tests in 1948, she then began her job with the IFS. Female ambassadors were almost unheard of in those days.

She was forced to sign a document forbidding her from getting married while she was still in the service. Nonetheless, Muthamma significantly contributed to gender inequality in the Indian Civil Service. She even brought a lawsuit against these issues before the Supreme Court. Unquestionably, Muthamma is one of the Indian women who has pioneered the way for future female officers in the Indian Civil Service and is an inspiration to all women.

When it was Mutumma’s turn to be promoted, she was unfairly passed over. She was compelled by this to petition the Supreme Court in opposition to the government. The rules that are now in place for the employment of women, according to Muthamma, are discriminatory.

Finally.When the Supreme Court bench ruled in Muthamma’s favour in 1979, the discriminatory rules pertaining to foreign service members were overturned. This ruling set a new precedent in India. As the first female Indian ambassador, Muthamma was soon appointed as the country’s representative in Hungary. Her final posting was in the Netherlands after a later one in Ghana. At the age of 85, she died in 2009. She made it so that women who joined the IFS in the years that followed were no longer subject to oppressive norms.

5. Saalumarada Thimmakka – First Female Environmentalist

Saalumarada Thimmakka is regarded as one of history’s most inspirational women. She rose to fame as the first female environmentalist from India after being born in 1910. Thimmakka, who lacked a formal education, went ahead and planted more than 385 banyan trees along the Karnataka route between Hulikal and Kudur. When she received the National Citizens Award in 1995, the media paid attention to her.

Youngly married to Bikaalu Chikkaiah, they struggled to have children of their own. In order to have children, they started participating in rituals, prayers, and pilgrimages. They then began to grow banyan trees in the hopes of having a kid. They started taking care of the young trees, which quickly grew into a canopy covering the four kilometres of road.

With the assistance of her husband, Thimmakka has planted more than 8000 more trees. The Indian government appreciated her efforts, and in 2019 she received the Padma Shri. The Central University of Karnataka also conferred an honorary doctorate upon her in 2020.

These historical Indian women who set the bar high were pioneers in their fields. To prevent their dedication and tenacity from fading into obscurity over time, it is important to introduce them to the next generation. Who knows, it might even encourage the younger generation to take on new challenges and carve out successful careers in the near future. Girls are just as capable as boys of realising their aspirations.

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Best Places To Celebrate Holi In India

Pondicherry: A Small France in India

Holi Festivals! Next up is a long weekend. You’ve got a travel bug. Yet you’re still unsure of where to go. Say no more, oh modest travellers, for we are come to put an end to your worry immediately!

In India, Holi is one of the holidays that is most extensively observed in March. Let’s enjoy Holi this holiday away from home!

For the wild Holi festival in India, visit one (or two, or three, or perhaps all) of these locations.

For more information, see our list of the top locations to celebrate Holi in India. One of India’s most well-known holidays is Holi. The first night of the celebration features a Holika Dahan (bonfire), which is followed the next day by a festival of colours.

Yet, this wonderful holiday is observed differently in various parts of India. Without further ado, let’s take a peek at all the fantastic locations in India where Holi will be celebrated this year.

1. Vrindavan (Banke Bihari Temple)

In Vrindavan, Holi is observed with great zeal and fervour. It celebrates the arrival of spring and says goodbye to winter’s icy grip. Beginning on Vasant Panchami, Holi is a great festival in Vrindavan that features large procession of people covered in various colours dancing to the music of the musicians.

The city celebrates Phoolon wali Holi on the Ekadashi before Holi, during which temple priests throw flowers at worshippers. The Widow’s Holi, which started a few years ago to end the tradition that forbade widows from playing with colours or wearing coloured clothing, is another distinctive Holi ceremony that takes place in Vrindavan.

2. Barsana(Braj Ke Holi)

Barsana’s Holi is another of India’s most well-known festivals. Another strange custom that has been practised for centuries in U.P. involves women beating males with clubs when they play Holi! The Lathmar Holi, which has its roots in a little village called Barsana near Mathura, is arguably the strangest method to observe the festival. The sight of the giggly women using the sticks with pure joy, though, is rather amusing. Barsana unquestionably hosts India’s best Holi festival. The Barsana Holi would undoubtedly remind you of Mathura Holi because it is the most well-known Holi celebration in India.

3. Shantiniketan

In order to revive the old custom, the famous Nobel laureate and poet Rabindranath Tagore brought the Basant Utsav to Shantiniketan, an established and prestigious institution in West Bengal. The ritual is still observed and commemorated with unrivalled fervour and zeal. The students dress up colourfully and put on a massive cultural extravaganza for the guests, which is inspired by Holi and spring. The best Holi celebration in India is held in Shantiniketan because of all the excitement, colour, and happiness there.
In various parts of India, Holi celebrations begin a day earlier than the official date.

4. Delhi

It is a known fact that Delhi becomes a touch boisterous during Holi, with children turning into colour hooligans and elderly going bonkers with fun and frolic. But if you can score tickets to the Holy Cow’mad moozik’ festival, one of Delhi’s most happening events, you’re in for a great time. Holi Cow is the place where every music lover congregates in this spring festival, boasting a killer lineup that includes the best indie music groups in the nation. This year, celebrate Holi in India in the most authentic location. Delhi is one of the most traditional venues to spend Holi in India if you want to experience the festival of colours in a unique way.

5. Udaipur

In Udaipur, Holi is truly magnificent and regal. On the day of Holi, The Maharaja of Mewar welcomes honourable visitors, foreign tourists, and many dignitaries to The Royal City Palace. A bonfire is lighted in the vast palace grounds as the Maharana arrives for the ceremony dressed traditionally. The blaze represents the victory of goodness over evil.

There are drumming traditional dances and folk music followed by cocktails, a magnificent dinner, and wonderful fireworks. Unquestionably, Udaipur is among the top cities in India to celebrate Holi.

6.Hampi, Karnataka

It’s best to stay away from south India if you want to take part in a large Holi festival, but Hampi is an exception. On the festival of Holi, the entire town congregates near the ruins of the Great Vijayanagar kingdom to play with colour and dance to drumbeats. They bathe in the Tungabhadra River after the festivities to wash away the colour. It is said that taking a dip in this river will wash all of one’s sins away. playing with colours amidst the majestic Vijayanagar empire’s ruins and swimming in the Tungabhadra River.

Among the ruins of the imposing Vijayanagara Empire, Holi celebrations in Hampi take place. They begin with the Holika Dahan bonfire the night before and last all day.

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Pondicherry: A Small France in India

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Pondicherry was a dreamlike place. A lovely dream with pristine beaches, unhurried colourful streets, and European style buildings. I kept thinking, “Am I in France or India?”

They even had a little Notre-Dame, but it was framed by palm trees and was a gorgeous shade of salmon pink.

It appeared to have a rhythm and its own atmosphere. It’s hard to avoid the laid-back vibe as you stroll around.

The attention of the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French was drawn to Pondicherry because of its distinctive location. Since 1673, when Pondicherry came under French authority, it has been the scene of clashes between the British and the French. Before gaining independence in 1954, Pondicherry served as the seat of French India for almost 300 years. The name Pondicherry was changed to Puducherry, which in Tamil means “New Village,” in 2006.

The French Quarter in Pondicherry, which was once owned and colonised by the French East India Company to establish a commerce hub, is still a part of France in India. Pondicherry had been transferred to several colonial powers, primarily French but also Dutch, Portuguese, and English. The former French colony of Pondicherry, which is now a union territory of India, continues to be heavily influenced by France. The inhabitants of Pondicherry had the choice to keep their French passports when it was turned over to India. Pondicherry’s population, both native Indians and non-Indians, are French citizens; the city’s streets still go by their French names; the locals speak French; there are eateries serving French cuisine with menus in French; and the villas all have French names.

One of those well-liked Indian vacation spots that is both attractive and flexible is Pondicherry. The abundance of amazing attractions in Pondicherry will ensure that your trip to this charming French colonial settlement in India is one you won’t soon forget. The extremely beautiful and serene Beaches of Pondicherry steal the show, despite the historical settings and delectable cuisine of this Union Territory being equally well-known. Pondicherry Beaches are unlike any other beach resort in India due to the dazzling azure water and flawless golden sands along its long coastline.

Perpendicular streets and a French grid system were used in the planning of Pondicherry. On one side of the canal that divides the city from the Indian Quarter is where you’ll find the French Quarter. The main four streets in Pondicherry’s French Quarter—RUE DUMAS, RUE ROMAIN ROLLAND, RUE SUFFREN, and RUE LA BOURDONNAIS—make up the Heritage Walk. Wandering these neighbourhoods on foot is the best way to experience French culture.

How to reach Pondicherry in India

We’re heading here from Bangalore via rail services in Puducherry Express, Bangalore and it runs three times a week. Friday night 8.30PM started journey and reached morning 7.30AM. NIght journey was good and you never know when you have reached there. Morning time was amazing while arrived on Puducherry station. We felt like we came out of India and surrounded environemnt never let us to know we are in india. The climate is to look at average temperature and precipitation over time.

Where to stay in Pondicherry

Pondicherry has a wealth of suitable hotels to stay in, whatever your budget! I decided to stay in White Town which is a heritage area. Being a history buff this suited me perfectly. It was right next to the Rock beach by the sea and all major attractions were within walking distance.

I booked a hotel called Pleasant Inn. It was a nice hotel having 3 floors and we have taken 3rd floor(Room NO 4103). The hotel deals with friendly staff and they had 38+ rooms.It is very clean and thanks to get 24hr hot and cold water with room services.

But they don’t have restaurant which i felt bad. No worries, we got some nearby restaurants for local tiffin centers.

Things to do in Pondicherry

Explore White Town

White Town seems like the ideal setting for a photographer. Vintage bicycles placed against vivid yellow homes with oil lamps were typical Pondicherry settings. Palm palms will sway on almost every road, and every electric blue street sign will start with the letter “RUE.” If you’re used to seeing Indian architecture, it’s a true feast for the eyes.

I simply enjoyed just walking around the streets here morning time. The main reason to get a bike for rent. unforrtunately i didn’t get any bike for booking as all booked before me. Seeing all the effortless beauty of the buildings and the life which was going on around them.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

A spiritual centre called the Sri Aurobindo Ashram is situated in the Indian region of Puducherry’s capital city of Pondicherry. A small group of followers who had formed around Sri Aurobindo when he gave up politics and settled in Pondicherry in 1910 eventually expanded into the ashram. You can dress whichever you like. For the ponderous weather, most people find shorts and shirts with short sleeves to be comfortable.

Sri Aurobindo Ashram, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pondicherry, is a kind of location where you can seek spirituality in a relaxed atmosphere and achieve inner peace by meditating in its calm ambience.

As soon as you enter the ashram’s enchanting atmosphere, you can forget about your troubles, and the stunning surroundings will astound you, making the entire scene appear even more spectacular.

In contrast to other ashrams, Sri Aurobindo Ashram is bustling with great energy and has a contemporary environment that draws thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is regarded as the best historical building in the city and is deserving of your visit.

Auroville & the Matrimandir

Before we start our 1st day journey, got to know Auroville & the Matrimandir will be closed for next 2 days. SO suddenly planned to visit there and booked Auto as we don’t have rental bike. My son likes to sit on Auto, so we don’t have choice to book any other vehicles.

An experimental township in India is called Auroville & the Matrimandir. “The Mother,” also known as Mirra Alfassa, purchased the land in 1968, and today it is a community that welcomes people of all creeds and socioeconomic classes.

The well-known Matrimandir, the “soul of the city,” is located here.

For individuals who practise integral yoga, a concept that was followed by Shri Aurobindo and “The Mother” here, the gold orb has spiritual significance. Construction took 37 years.

You can get a free pass from the visitor centre to stroll to the viewing point if you’re only there for a few hours. The only time on Sundays when it is open to tourists is in the morning.

All reservations must be made in person and on an individual basis if you are a first-time visitor and wish to enter the temple for concentration (no group bookings). A pass will be given to you one day in advance.

It is advised to spend some time meditating here since, according to the locals, you can feel the energy in your blood if you do.

Once you’re done, be sure to stop by their restaurant. Using largely organic products from the Auroville farms in the vicinity, they serve the best mix of South Indian and European cuisine. Additionally, I’ve had only Lmeon Jiuce and my wife had some Mango slices from them.

Being so far into the forest, getting here can be a little mysterious.

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple

Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple is among the area’s well-known temples. Lots of Vinayak images with his activities drawn on the walls, roofs and each corner of the temple. It’s mesmorising experience which i couldn’t write up here. Many local vending zones are there where Ganesh images you can found made of coconut threads. Street footpath covers readymade dress zone outside the temple too.

Take a stroll to Rock beach

Peaceful environs and beautiful sunrise will made your day here. I love being by the sea and when I reached the water’s edge in Pondicherry, it brought it home just how much I missed the ocean air. Although this beach isn’t as sandy as others in the area, it’s still a really nice place to visit and stroll along the promenade. I had water melon slices on the rocks while enjoying the view. This is White Town’s best place to feel the view , so make sure you pay it a visit.

Visit the Pondicherry Promenade

The Promenade is lined with famous attractions and statues.The most notable being GandhiJi and on the opposite side you get the statue of Nehruji. You’ll see locals taking selfies and in the evening there was a brass band playing which draws in a huge crowd! Long walkway for walks, sea-facing restaurants and fresh seafood will attract the visitors towards this view.

Pondicherry Museum

The Bharathi Park of Pondicherry is home to the Pondicherry Museum, often known as the Pondy Museum. The museum tells the tale of the city’s rich cultural heritage while displaying a wide variety of items. Those interested in history and those who want to learn more about Pondicherry are familiar with the museum.

The museum features artefacts such as rocks, jewellery, coins, and statues that were unearthed on the Arikamedu cultural site. They show the significance of Pondicherry as a trading port between the first and second centuries AD. At that time, it was a well-known marine hub that catered to French, Chola, and Roman traders. The Archaeological Survey of India has excavated the artefacts from that era in Arikamedu.

Also, the museum features stone and bronze sculptures that portray the colourful Pallava and Chola empires’ culture. In the city, you may still see evidence of French colonial control. It is well recognised for its collection of church relics, including furniture and other objects. The Pondicherry Museum offers you the chance to be in awe of the diversity of Pondicherry’s history and comprehend its impact on the local culture.

Paradise Beach

The ever i have seen the cleanest Beach in my tour. The sands are so clean and no garbage you get here. A lot of gaming activities also you get here to spend more time. For family, it’s like a heaven type feeling. Seashore also very safe and no need to worry about the roar of the sea.

End of the evening We went one Sunday Market where you can get all items in cheap rate. People loves to purchase many house needed things and dress materials. This way We had a memorable trip to Pondicherry and I am sure you won’t be come in empty hand if yoy plan for a trip.

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