శివరాత్రికి జీడికాయ, ఉగాదికి ఊరగాయ.

shivaratriki jidikaya, ugadiki uragaya.

Translation

Cashew fruit for Shivaratri, pickles for Ugadi.

Meaning

This is a seasonal saying that highlights the arrival of specific agricultural produce during certain festivals. It signifies that by the time of Maha Shivaratri (late winter), cashew fruits are ripe and available, and by Ugadi (Telugu New Year/spring), it is the perfect time for making and consuming fresh mango pickles as the raw mangoes are ready.

Related Phrases

The cold leaves by Maha Shivaratri, and the heat stings by Sri Rama Navami.

This is a seasonal observation in Telugu culture regarding the transition of weather. It signifies that the winter chill typically vanishes after the Shivaratri festival (February/March), and the scorching summer heat begins to be felt intensely by the time Sri Rama Navami (March/April) arrives.

If there is (plenty), it is Ugadi; if there is (nothing), it is Shivaratri.

This proverb describes an unstable or extreme financial situation. 'Ugadi' represents a feast and celebration (plenty), while 'Shivaratri' represents fasting and staying awake (poverty/hunger). It is used to describe someone who either lives in luxury when they have money or starves when they don't, lacking a middle ground or consistent lifestyle.

By Shivaratri, mangoes grow to the size of Shivalingas.

This is a traditional agricultural observation or proverb indicating that by the time of the Maha Shivaratri festival (usually in late February or early March), the young green mangoes on the trees should have grown to a significant size, comparable to small stone lingas. It serves as a seasonal marker for the growth of the mango crop.

By Maha Shivaratri, the cold departs saying 'Shiva Shiva'.

This is a popular seasonal saying in Telugu culture indicating that the peak winter season ends with the Maha Shivaratri festival. It suggests that the intensity of the cold weather significantly diminishes after this day, marking the transition into spring and summer.

Jangamas for Shivarathri, Haridasus for Sankranti

This expression refers to the specific roles or people who appear during certain occasions. It implies that everything has its own right time and place. Just as Saivite monks (Jangamulu) are prominent during Shivarathri and Vaishnavite devotees (Haridasulu) are seen during Sankranti, certain actions or individuals are relevant only during specific circumstances or seasons.

By Maha Shivaratri, the cold leaves saying 'Shiva Shiva'.

This is a popular Telugu saying indicating that the winter season officially ends and the weather starts warming up after the festival of Maha Shivaratri. It describes the seasonal transition from winter to spring.

By Shivaratri, the cold will be as small as a tamarind leaf.

This expression is used to describe the change in weather during the transition from winter to summer. It signifies that by the time of the Maha Shivaratri festival, the winter chill significantly diminishes and only a tiny, negligible amount of cold remains.

By Maha Shivaratri, the cold is the size of a tamarind seed.

This is a popular Telugu saying referring to the seasonal transition. It signifies that by the time of the Shivaratri festival (usually in late February or early March), the winter season has almost ended, and the cold weather has reduced to a negligible amount, as small as a tamarind seed.

The pickle is greater than the leftover rice

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a secondary or trivial thing is given more importance, or seems more impressive, than the primary or essential thing. It's often applied when an accessory or an accompaniment overshadows the main subject.

Salt is not a pickle

This expression is used to remind someone that raw materials or basic ingredients are not the same as the final finished product. It highlights that potential or basic utility requires effort and processing to become something more valuable or enjoyable.