Hi All,

I received mail from Krishna tempel that they are celebrating Ogadi & Gudi-padwa festival tomorrow. It is the first time they are celebrating our new year festivals in tempel. We should all support by going there. Here is the schedule I received:

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South Indian New years celebration (April 7th)

On monday we will celebrate together the South Indian's new year at Munich temple, the program will be as follows:

6:00 p.m Bhajans
6:30 p.m Gaura Arati (temple ceremony)
7:00 p.m Lecture
7:30 p.m Prasadam feast - Typical South Indian feast.

All States that follow Chandramana or lunar calendar follow this day as the spring new year. This festival is celebrated with fervor in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra Known as Ugadi in AP and Karnataka, it is known as Gudhipadwa in Maharashtra. Ugadi (meaning: the beginning of a new Yuga). It is the most important festival for Hindus, which falls on Chaitra Shuddha Prathipade (Padya). Lord Brahma created the earth and set days, nights, dates, weeks, fortnights, months, seasons, and years to count the time. During Varahamihira, a saint who lived in sixth century started a new method of celebrating New Year on Chaitra Shuddha Prathipade. His calculation was based on the onset of spring.

Gudhi Padwa heralds the advent of a prosperous new year and is considered as a shubh muhurat - one of the most auspicious days - by Hindus. According to Epic Ramayana, this is the day when Lord Rama come back to Aayodhya after 14 yrs. of Vanvas.

On this day above each house a "Gudhi" -the bamboo staff is tied up to a big bar, with a saree or a cloth and a glass like vessel above it which overall symbolises victory. The "Gudhi" tastes sweet and children enjoy eating it. There is special Prasad including Neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery which is good for health.

http://www.sanatan.org/en/festivals/hindu/gudhipadva.htm
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