Rare Facts about Sri Hanumanji

1. Hanumanji’s name from his birth was Sundar.  When Indra struck him with a vajra and he fell down, his chin had a dent and he was called Hanuman
2. When Sri Rama was to take incarnation, Shiva informs Sati of his intention to incarnate on earth in order to serve him. When Sati protests that she will miss him, Shiva promises to send only a portion of himself and hence to remain with her on Kailash. The two then discuss the problem of what form Shiva should take.   if he assumes human shape, it will violate the dharma of service, for the servant should be lower than the master. Shiva finally decides that if Rama is a Nara(human), then he will take the form of a Vanara(Monkey)  because it is humble and has simple needs and lifestyle: no shelter, no cooked food, and no observance of the rules of caste and stage of life. This will allow maximum scope for service.  When Shiva decides to manifest his amsha as Hanuman, Sati also thinks that what can she do?  She comes to the conclusion that the beauty of a monkey is his tail.  The monkey also loves his tail the most.  So an amsha of Sati becomes the tail of Hanuman.  So Hanumanji is an amsha of both Shiva & Sati.  Hanuman is the 11th Rudra-Avataar of Lord Shiva.  
3. Background to Hanumanji’s Birth and why is he called - Shankara suvana, Kesari Nandana, Anjani-Putra, Vayu-kumara:
   Lord Brahmaji’s loka was a heavenly abode and beautiful apsaras also lived there. Among them was a beautiful apsara named Anjana. Happy with her services Brahmaji decided to reward her. He asked Anjana her desire and she replied hesitatingly “Lord! Please remove my curse which was placed on me by a Rishi Agnirasa(sage).” Brahmaji asked her to tell him about her curse and assured her that he will try to help her. Anjana started narrating her story, “When I was a child I used to get bored of my luxurious lifestyle and in search of amusement one day I came down to earth to play with earth’s strange creatures. As I was wandering around to look for some friends, I saw a monkey meditating in a forest. Little did I know about this monkey, I started laughing and making fun of that monkey because he was seated with folded legs just like a lotus. Seeing that monkey pose like a human sage, I threw some pebbles and fruits at him.
   
   Since I was a small child the Sage tried to ignore my foolishness at first but eventually he lost his temper. Soon his eyes opened and I could see anger in his eyes. He was not an ordinary monkey. He was a powerful sage who had disguised himself as a monkey to do his tapasya. My mischief had disturbed his meditation and in his thundering voice he said,” Young apsara, you have committed a sin and you should be punished for that. Since you mocked me of being a monkey, I curse you that whenever you fall in love with someone you will turn into a monkey.”
   
   I begged and cried in front of him. But sage Agnirasa said that the curse could not be changed but said that inspire of my monkey face someone will fall in love with me.” Anjana said to Lord Brahma, ” This is my curse story, O Lord! please save me from this curse.”
   
   After hearing her story Brahmaji felt sad for her and uttered, “I think I can help you in removing this curse. As per the curse go and live your life on earth, get married and you’ll remain this way until you give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva.”
   
   Anjana was happy to learn that and followed Brahmaji’s advice. Soon she took birth on earth and lived in Kunjar family – one who dwells in forest. One day while returning home from forest she saw a man fighting a mighty lion. She stood there and watched that brave man fight. She looked at that man with love and admiration and after killing the lion when that man turned, he saw Anjana standing there. The moment he looked at her, because of the curse Anjana turned into a monkey as she was in love with that man!
   
   On seeing this transformation, Anjana covered her face and started to cry. Seeing her crying the man rushed towards her and inquired what the matter was.
   “Talk to me, O beautiful lady, face me,” said the man.
   “Oh brave man, how can I face you. I am cursed and as per the curse if I fall in love I will change into a monkey and I have, so please leave me alone and go, ” said Anjana.
   That man said smiling,”Look at me lady, I am not human but as per a boon from Lord Shiva I can take any form I want.” Peeking through her fingers Anjana saw a monkey- faced man standing in front of her. She was surprised. The man said,” I am Kapiraj Kesari of Mount Sumeru, the king of monkeys. On seeing you I fell in love with you, I ask your hand in marriage – will you marry me?”Anjana accepted his proposal and thought that the Sage’s words came true. This man is willing to marry me besides my appearance.Later both of them got married in the forest.
   But Anjana still wanted to get out of monkey body, she was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and she started performing intense meditation to please Lord Shiva. After seeing her devotion Lord Shiva appeared and asked what she desired. Anjana requested Lord Shiva to be born as her son and free her from the Sage’s curse. So pleased with her bhakti; Lord Shiva granted her, her wish.
   
   At that same time King Dasharath was also performing the ritual of Putra-kameshti yagna (spiritual ritual in order to have children) in Ayodhya. As a result of that yagna, he received a sacred pudding (Kheer) to be shared by his three wives, leading to the births of Lord Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna. While Dasarath was giving that prasad to his wife, a kite snatched a fragment of that pudding, flew over the forest and dropped it where Anjana was engaged in meditation. This all happened because of Lord Shiva’s boon.
   
   Lord Shiva commanded Vayu to deliver that prasad to Anjana. Vayu, the deity of wind, delivered the falling prasad to the outstretched hands of Maa Anjana. Thinking it to be prasad from Lord Shiva, Anjana consumed it with delight. As a result,Hanuman was born to her and she was freed from the curse of Sage Agnirasa. Kesari and Anjana were was very happy to see their monkey- faced baby boy. He was named as Sundar.  He was also called Anjaneya  the son of Anjana or Shankar Suvana as he was born with Lord Shiva’s blessing or Kesari Nandan - son of Kesari and Pavana-Putra - the son of Pavan Devata.
   
4. Hanumanji is one of the 7 Chiranjeevis who will be alive till the end of the kalpa.  He is having a form even now and hence his birthday is celebrated as Hanuman Janmotsava and not as a Jayanti (Celebrated for one who has dropped the body).   Bali, Vyasa, Markandeya, Ashwatthama, Vibheesha, Kripacharya are the other Chiranjeevis.  
5. Hanumanji is the Bhavishyad-Brahma.  After the tenure of the present Brahmaji(Creator) will be completed, Hanumanji will be the next Brahmaji.  Hanumanji visits Brahmaloka for Sri Rama’s Mudrika and there shows his Vishwarupa and  he obtains the boon from Brahmaji that he will be the future Lord of Creation.  
6. Hanumanji learnt the entire Vedas from Lord Sun, while walking backwards to keep facing Lord sun,  in just 60 hours. Hanumanji asked him what gurudakshina can he give?  Lord Sun told him that his amsha is Sugriva and that Hanumanji should always protect him.  Hanumanji promised to do so.  
7. Hanumanji marriage:  Being an Aajanma Brahmachari, Lord Hanuman was not eligible to study the Nava Vyakarnas (nine grammers) of Sanskrit, for which the status of being a grihastha (married man) was essential. In order to facilitate the completion of his education, the Trimurtis approached Surya Bhagavan and created a beautiful Kanya, Suvarchala Devi, an Aajanma Brahmacharini, from the Sun’s Kiranas (rays) and arranged a marriage with Hanumanji to make him a Grihastha without Brahmacharya being affected. Whereby he learnt and became a genius in the nine vyakaranas (sanskrit grammar). These details can be found in Parasara Samhita written by Sri Parasara Maharishi(Disciple of Baskala, Not the father of Sri Vedavyasa).    Sri Parasara Maharishi has written the life history of Lord Hanuman from his birth and goes on to depict his life even after the Ramayana. 
8. There is also a composition called ‘Hanuman Mangalashtakam’ that depicts the Lord thus and a shloka from it says:
   
   suvarchalaa kalathraaya chaturbhuja dharaaya cha
   ushtraa roodhaya veeraya mangalam sri hanumathe
   
   The meaning of the above sloka is: “Salutations to Lord Hanuman, having four arms, accompanied by His consort Suvarchala Devi, seated on a camel and exhibiting extraordinary valour.”
   Khagendra samhita, Saunaka Samhita and Sudarshana Samhita also mention about Hanumanji’s marriage.  
9. Sri Suvarchala-Hanuman wedding is celebrated and performed on the 10th day before the full moon day in Jyestha month.  
10. At the temple at Thailavaram, the moolavigraha is eight feet tall. The Lord holds the customary mace in his hand that he rests on his right shoulder. His left hand is placed on his hip. The utsava moorthi of Anjaneya is with his consort Suvarchala Devi. The Lord is depicted with four arms and is descriptively called Suvarchala Devi Sametha Chaturbhuja.
11. Without his Brahmacharya being affected, Hanumanji also had a son - Makaradhvaja. He was a half monkey and a half crocodile.   When the mighty Hanuman set fire to the city of Lanka, he extinguished his tail in the great ocean. He spilled his seed, that had been generated due to the heat of the fire on his tail, into the ocean and without his knowledge, this seed was consumed by a female crocodile and a child was thus conceived. Once this crocodile was brought to the kitchens of Mahiraavana in Paathaala and when her gut was torn open,  the child emerged. Mahiraavana gave him protection and education and he was named Makaradhvaja.  When Hanumanji went to fight Mahiraavana, Makaradhvaja prevented him and it is at that time Hanumanji came to know about his son.  Yet, to free Sri Rama & Lakshmana from Mahiraavana, he fought Makaradhvaja, disarmed him and bound him to finally kill Mahiraavana.   
12. Before Vali & Sugreeva became enemies, Hanumanji was one of the chief ministers of Vali. 
13. Hanumanji always served everyone.  He never ruled as a King.  But he was a great king-maker.  He was instrumental in the destruction of enemies and coronation of many kings.  Vali was killed and Sugriva was coronated.  Hanumanji was instrumental in the friendship of Sri Rama & Sugriva.  Ravana was destroyed and Vibheeshana became the King.  Hanumanji had told Vibheeshana to seek refuge of Lord Rama.  Mahiraavana was killed by Hanumanji and Makaradhvaja was crowned the king of Paataala.  In Sri Ram’s Coronation also Hanumanji played a very vital role.  Though Hanumanji did not rule any kingdom, yet he rules the hearts of all. 
14. Why does Hanumanji have Sindoor all over his body?  One day after the coronation of Sri Ram, Hanumanji saw Sitaji wearing sindhoor and asked what does it signifies? Sitaji replied that it is customary for married women to put sindhoor for the longevity of their husband’s life and his well-being. So Hanumanji thought that if a pinch of sindoor can be good for Sri Ram, then what if i use more.  So he went and smeared Sindhoor all over his body for Lord Rama. That day happened to be a tuesday and  Sri Ram was impressed.  He blessed Hanuman that whoever offers you sindhoor and oil on tuesday,  will find strength to overcome obstacles in their life.  
15. Hanumanji had met Sri Rama first at Ayodhya when he was taken there by Shivji who assumed the form of a Madari to entertain Sri Ram as a child in his Bal-roop. Sri Ram told him after a few months to return and that he will meet him in Kishkindha and they will be together after that.  
16. Hanumanji had first met Bharat, on his way back while carrying the Dronachal mountain.  As he was crossing over Ayodhya, Bharat saw him and assumed that some Rakshasa was taking this mountain to attack Ayodhya. Bharat then shot Hanuman with an arrow, which was engraved with Sri Rama's name. Hanuman did not stop this arrow as it had Rama's name written on it, and it injured his leg. Hanuman landed and explained to Bharat that he was moving the mountain to save his own brother, Lakshmana. Bharat, very sorry, offered to fire an arrow to Lanka, which Hanuman could ride in order to reach his destination more easily? But Hanuman declined the offer, preferring to fly on his own, and he continued his journey with his injured leg.  The place where Hanumanji landed to meet Bharat is said to be the Bade Hanumanji’s temple at Prayag.  
17. There are 9 incarnations of Hanumanji:
1. Prasanna-Anjaneya
2. Vira-Anjaneya
3. Vimshati-bhuja-Anjaneya. He has 20 weapons in 20 hands. 
4. Pancha-mukha-Anjaneya.  He has 5 faces in this.  Four on four sides and 5th is on top - Urdhva Muka
5. Ashta-dasha-bhuja-Anjaneya. He has 18 hands in this incarnation.  
6. Suvarachalapati. Consort of Suvarchala Devi
7. Four-Shouldered Hanuman
8. Thirty two shouldered Hanuman with 32 weapons
9. Anjaneya as a monkey form who has been Sri Rama’s emissary to Sitaji.  There are stories related to each of the incarnations of Hanumanji. 
18. There are 11 Pithas(seats) of Hanumanji, like the Shakti-peethas of Devi and Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
1. Kundina Nagara
2. Sri Bhadram
3. Kusa Tarpanam
4. Pampa Tiram
5. Candra Konam
6. Kambhojam
7. Gandhamaadanam
8. Brahmaavartapuram
9. Naimishaaranyam
10. Sundaranagaram
11. Sri Hanumatpuram

Jai Sri Ram! Jai Hanuman!

(The above legends are inspired from Parashara Samhita & Anand Ramayana)

Om Tapovana-Shishyaaya Namaha

From an atheist to an Advaitin

From a Political Revolutionary to a Spiritual Missionary

From Passion to Dispassion to Compassion

From Menon to a Phenomenon

From Individual to Universal

From 'born' to Unborn

Is the journey HE went through for us.

May We offer Unto HIM Our Best by realizing the Unborn.  Om Sri Chinmaya Sadgurave Namah.

“A Guru is not a person, he is a personality, an institution.  He is the radio through which the Lord contacts the student.  When a student meets his Teacher, it is always a miracle.”  - Swami Chinmayananda

A student of Law, English Literature, a revolutionary Freedom fighter, a rational journalist, and a self-proclaimed agnostic Balan met Swami Sivananda of Divine Life Society with the intention of exposing the Sadhus & Sannyasis whom he called “Social Parasites and a leech upon society.”  Swami Sivananda transformed his questions into a Quest for the Higher.   By the spring of 1948, Balan decided and moved permanently to Ananda Kutir(Divine Life Society, Rishikesh) with the goal of finding the purpose of human life.  He wanted to take Sannyas but Swami Sivananda told him to undertake a pilgrimage to Char Dham and see if he could sustain the quest.  On route Balan met many Mahatmas.

 His first met Swami Tapovanam of Uttarkashi during his Char Dham Yatra.  Swami Tapovanam knew about Balan as he had come across some of his articles in National Herald.  “During the entire journey, keep a continuous unbroken Brahma-Vichaar(Contemplation on Truth), just as even while one is walking, one remembers a loved one who is far away.” Advised Swami Tapovanam.  Soon after the Char Dham yatra, Balan decided to take Sannyas.   On 25^thFebruary 1949(Mahashivaratri Day), Swami Sivananda initiated Balakrishna Menon into Sannyas and named him Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati.  

Swami Sivananda directed Swami Chinmayananda - “You want to master the scriptures, go to Swami Tapovanam, the Great teacher from Kerala”

It is said that Swami Tapovanam was waiting for Swami Chinmayananda to arrive.  Swami Chinmayananda walked from Rishikesh passing through many forests and after many days, finally reached Uttarkashi. Giving the reference of Swami Sivananda he asked Swami Tapovanam whether it would be possible to study Vedanta under him.  Swami Tapovanam was very cold to him.  He replied- What is the proof that Swami Sivananda sent you? Go and get a letter from him.  Swami Chinmayananda was disturbed but he walked down to Rishikesh for the letter.  Swami Sivananda smiled and said – You have passed in your first test.  

When Swami Chinmayananda returned with the letter, he was eager to start the study, but Swami Tapovanam said – “We will start next month after we go up to Gangotri”

In the tradition of Vedanta there are systematic steps to discover Self Knowledge.  Swami Chinmayananda followed these steps beautifully in the short period of 2 years that he was with Swami Tapovanam, as seen in the anecdotes given below. 

1. Selfless Actions - Nishkaama Karma or Karma Yoga. (Removes 'Mala' - 6 impurities)

 "Chinmaya, make a garden for us here in front of my hut," requested Swami Tapovan one sunny day. "Some fresh vegetables would be appreciated by all of us."

"But Swamiji, there's no water supply up here on the hill," replied his disciple.

"What! The mighty Ganga is roaring down at the bottom of the hill-and here's a bucket. You can bring plenty of water for a garden."

"Yes, of course. Yes, sir," Chinmaya mutterred as he eyed the sixty-foot steep climb up a winding path to Tapovan Kutir from the banks of the Ganga.

2. Single Pointedness – Upasana (Removes vikshepa or wandering of the Mind)

As a child Balan had Loved the form of Lord Shiva.  He became an agnostic in his college years.  When he decided to quit the ‘Palace of Life’ & seek Live Divine, his childhood mantra came back to him.  He resumed the Japa of Om Namah Shivaya while he was a student at Lucknow University and continued it at Uttarkashi. 

3. Four Fold Qualifications - Sadhana Chatushtaya

The 4 fold qualifications required to study Vedanta were invoked in Balan during his Journalist days in Delhi, death of Shroff & Char Dham Yatra.  This resulted in his decision to take Sannyas. 

4. Seek a Guru – Guru-Upasatti

Swami Tapovanam put a condition when Swami Chinmayananda approached him for study, “I will only teach once. I will not repeat. If I ask you any question and you cannot answer, you will have to leave.”  Swami Chinmayananda agreed.  He in turn would ask many questions till he was clear.

5. Self-Enquiry – Brahma-Jignaasaa

“I went to Swami Tapovanam with the desire to know directly what the scriptures say in their profound declarations.  I wanted a fuller confirmation of what I had gathered from books in the library, that is, a direct glimpse of the ideas in the Upanishads and the Geeta.” 

6. Serve the Spiritual Teacher - Guru Seva

Tuning with the Spiritual Teacher is important to receive the knowledge of Vedanta.

Swami Chinmayananda would use a large stone as a pillow and be at the Guru's door at 4am, after a freezing cold ganges-bath, with a cup of tea.  Many times Swami Tapovanam left the cup of tea untouched, just to rub away the doership. 

Often he would cook food for his guru. “See one never gets to give up Tapas In these Himalayas.” Chuckled Swami Tapovanam demonstrating one of Chinmaya’s thick, dry rotis which were not round.   

7. Listening – Shravanam

Every morning the class began at 6am with Shantipath. Panchadashi was the first text that Swami Tapovanam taught Swami Chinmayananda.  Swami Tapovanam would read out one Sanskrit verse and explain its word by word meaning, rules of grammar, deeper meaning, an example and the possible misinterpretations.  Though both of them were from kerala & knew English, Swami Tapovanam taught in Hindi & Swami Chinmayananda would listen attentively and make notes in English.

One morning, as Swami Tapovanam was taking the class, a crow cawed.  One of the students looked up.  Swami Tapovanam ended the class saying - Vedanta cannot be learnt by such distracted minds.  

8. Reflection – Mananam

With the exception of class time, if the students even approached Swami Tapovanam or talked amongst themselves, he would chide them: "What are you doing hanging around here? Don't waste a minute! You go do your own reflection. It's all in you!"

9. Contemplation – Nididhyaasanam

With the setting Sun, Chinmaya retired to his humble shelter & spent long, cool nights reflecting  & contemplating on the Truth revealed by his Guru.

Swami Tapovanam was such a pure soul that he saw God in everything.  For him, Ganga was Brahman flowing in Liquid form .  Journeying between Uttarkashi & Gangotri, he would often point out in a contemplative mood, “Loot at those clouds, Chinmaya.  So beautiful is all of nature.  How can anyone not believe the grace and beauty of the Lord when they see His form manifested in this wonderful world of nature.” 

10. Absorption of the Mind - Samadhi

Often Swami Chinmayananda sat all night absorbed in meditation in a quiet corner of the forest or sometimes on a boulder besides the Ganges.   At one point Chinmaya decided that even the proximity of his fellow students & Swami Tapovanam was a hindrance. “Never forget that the peace you are seeking is within”, his Guru cautioned. 

After a few Upanishads, Swami Tapovanam took up the teaching of the celebrated Mandukya Upanishad with karika.  Swami Chinmayananda was enthralled.  “The world is unreal! It never came into existence!” He would rave on for hours like a man possessed.  He dint even think of food or his beloved tea.

Swami Tapovanam had planned to give classes on the Bhagavad Geeta but developed a severe cough.  “Okay, I’ve taught you the Upanishads, now you study the Gita on your own. If you have a question, we’ll discuss it.” With these words Swami Tapovanam ended Chinmaya’s studies from a textbook.  But learning from the teacher did not stop; he would spend another 6 years communicating with the Master. 

The above 10 steps of Vedanta are beautiful for self-unfoldment.  Each of us can apply it in our lives and discover the Infinite Happiness of the Self.  We are fortunate to be under the Guru-Parampara of such great masters.  It’s a sure sign of Divine Grace.  All that is required is our self-efforts to realize the Self.  

Once when Swami Chinmayananda was at Gangotri in 1951, sitting in a place that he called as Faquiristan, on the banks of Mother Ganga, he pondered – “Can I face the educated class of India and bring to their faithless hearts at least a ray of understanding of our wondrous culture? None could argue against the Eternal Truth that man is in essence God. But could I explain it to others?” 

He seemed to hear the words in Mother Ganga’s roar, ‘Son, see me; born here in the Himalayas, I rush down to the plains taking with me both life and nourishment to all.  Fulfilment of any possession is in sharing it with others.’

Inspired by the Ganga, Swami Chinmayananda, with the blessings of Swami Tapovanam, in May 1951 took up an All India Tour. He observed, “The people in the cities were an aimless crowd, out of contact with the values in their own traditional culture. I was miserably disillusioned and disappointed at the working plans of all the ashrams and temples, at the stuff that was doled out as the best of Hinduism.”

In November 1951, He completed his tour of India and returned to Tapovan Kutir in Uttarkashi. He resolved to plan a series of Upanishad Jnana yagnasin all of the great cities of India, beginning with Pune – the city of Intellectuals. Swami Tapovanam gave permission with caution - “Consider yourself lucky if you find five to six listeners for Vedanta, especially when you take the Upanishadsas textbooks.” 

Thus, Gangotri Plan was conceived by Swami Chinmayananda.  With four nickels (annas) in his pocket, he arrived at Pune on Dec. 23^rd1951.  The first yagna was from 31^stDecember 1951 to 8^thApril 1952. 

The rest as they say is history.  Chinmaya Mission was formed on 8^thAugust 1953 and it continues to serve humanity with the motto: Maximum Happiness to Maximum People for Maximum Time. It has over 300 centres in 25 countries, 85 schools, 7 colleges, rural development in 1000 villages, hospitals, orphanages, old age homes etc.  

Swami Chinmayananda dedicated his life & his work to his teacher – Sree Swami Tapovanam.  He was a true disciple(shishya) of Swami Tapovanam. Hence one of his apt names is - Om Tapovana-Shishyaaya Namaha.   He always kept the picture of Swami Tapovanam at the altar of a Yagna.  He said that his work was entirely dedicated to Swami Tapovanam and the Shrutis(Vedas). 

“Ours is a great responsibility. We, his sishya-family have to see that He finds an ample field in our individual bosoms to express Himself. It is not sufficient that we evolve ourselves - we must learn to release Him to be visible here. It is a glorious chance now to take a sacred oath upon ourselves that we shall not rest contented until He is fulfilled. Hindu revival is the Tapovana Vratam. I shall consider myself fulfilled if my life and work become my message of adoration and gratitude to my Teacher. Words can never gather Him in their embrace. Love alone can. Let us all adore Him and work for His fulfilment which is the goal of Chinmaya Mission.  Keep him in your heart, let him do the work and purify you.”

As disciples, our work should be dedicated to Poojya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda and must be befitting His Glory.  Before we perform any action, let us think – “Will this befit the glory of my Satguru?” His Vision is our Mission.  Let us offer UNTO HIM OUR BEST.  

Om Sri Tapovana-Parama-Gurave Namaha

Om Shri Chinmaya Satgurave Namaha

Om Shri Gurubhyo Namaha

Yugadi

The most widely accepted New Year’s Day among the Hindus is the Caandramaana Yugaadi, the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra(March-April). 

Brahma, the Creator is said to have created this world on this day and the reckoning of time begun from the sunrise of this day.  Hence the name Yuga-Adi (Beginning of an era or epoch).  

Emperor Shalivaahana(circa AD 79) is believed to have been crowned on this day.  Consequently this era is called the Shaka Era or the Shalivaahana Shaka.  

Paschaataapa or repentence for the evil deeds committed during the past year, prayers for forgiveness, performance of Mahaashaanti rites to ward off all future evils or misfortune, worship of the presiding deity of the year as indicated by the day of the week on which the Yugaadi falls, worship of Brahmaa the creator with all the Upacharas, worship to other deities, to units of time and nakshatras or asterisms and finally to Vishnu - are the religious rites specially recommended.  

One must also listen to the reading of the Panchanga by the family priest. 

Taking bath after anointing the body with oil, called Abhyanjanasnaana or oil bath, wearing new clothes, decorating the house, eating a mixture of tender neem leaves and jaggery followed by a sumptuous feast, giving presents to servants and dependents - these are the social aspects of the celebration. 

Listening to the forecasts given in the Panchanga can help one to prepare himself for facing the untoward incidents or circumstances.  

Eating the mixture of the bitter neem leaves along with the sweet jaggery is supposed to be good for health and also an antidote for the illnesses common in the spring season.  Taken in a symbolic sense, it can psychologically prepare one to be equanimous under all circumstances of life, whether bringing pain or pleasure.

Chaandramaana Yugaadi is observed widely as the New Year’s Day in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.  In some parts of the country, especially in Maharashtra, a long bamboo is decorated with a silk cloth and a silver or copper vessel is put over it.  A garland of sweets and neem leaves, it is tied at the upper end.  This is called ‘Gudhi.’  This is then worshipped and hoisted on the terrace of the house.  It is taken down after sunset and the sweets and neem leaves are distributed among all, especially the children, to be consumed as prasada or consecrated food.  Because of this custom of raising the Gudhi on the Padhva(or Pratipad day), the day(yugadi) itself is christened as “Gudhi Padva”

According to one belief, this is actually a flag-hoisting ceremony to commemorate the killing of Vali, the monkey chief of Kishkindha, by Sri Rama on this day. 

- Courtesy “Encyclopaedia of Hinduism by Swami Harshananda, Ramakrishna Math”