Visakhapatnam: Ugadi to see low-key celebrations

Visakhapatnam: The outbreak of coronavirus followed by the State-wide lockdown and imposition of Section 144 CrPC have cast a shadow on 'Ugadi sambaralu' as many prefer a low-key celebration this year.

Ugadi is one of the most auspicious festivals for Telugu people. However, with restrictions in place to control the spread of the virus, citizens find it hard to celebrate the festival as they used to before.

Last year, the markets were flooded with people to bring home a bagful of mandatory items such as a bunch of raw mangoes, tamarind, neem flowers, jaggery, fruits, coconut and sugarcane along with fresh vegetables.

With the availability of limited stock, people flocked Rythu Bazaars and markets to buy essentials and puja items. A tiny bunch of neem leaves was sold at Rs.10. A small quantity of flowers was sold at Rs.10 to Rs.15.

Telugu New Year has its own charm as the shopping malls and markets used to be the most frequented spots for many ahead of Ugadi.

Now, with the streets wearing a desolate look and shopping malls and other outlets remained shut following the Covid-19 outbreak, people now prefer the celebrations to be a low key affair. "With Visakhapatnam being no exception to the virus outbreak, it is better to stay at home, perform puja for the larger benefit of the society and individuals," says M. Murali Krishna, a senior citizen at Gopalapatnam.

Sharing similar views, P Samyuktha, a resident of Hanumantawaka, said, "Ugadi is the most sought-after festival as it used to be a week-long celebration for us. Cleaning the house ahead of the festival, buying new clothes for the dear ones and decking up the house with 'mamidi thoranam' (string of mango leaves) is an integral part of the celebrations. However, with the pandemic threat looming large we need to make do with limited resources this time, including flowers and neem leaves."

Some voluntarily gave up donning new sets of clothes this Ugadi. "Since thousands of people across the world have lost their lives due to novel coronavirus, I will not focus much on new clothes this year," shares V. Srilatha, a mother of two daughters.

Covering themselves with masks and scarves, many were seen indulging in shopping at Seethammadhara Rythu Bazaar, Gopalapatnam Rythu Bazaar and Poorna Market, among other areas on Tuesday.

Since shrines will remain closed for the devotees, Ugadi rituals will be performed by the priests at major shrines, including Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple.