ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Ugadi or Ugaadi (literally – the start of an era) is the new year’s day for the people of the Deccan region of India.
While the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa.
Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand.
Ugadi is celebrated on different day every year because the Hindu calendar is lunisolar calendar.
The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and the Ugadi mark the first day of the new year.
The festival marks the new year day for people who follow the southern Indian lunar calendar, pervasively adhered to in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
This calendar reckons dates based on the Salivahana era (Salivahana Saka), which begins its count from the supposed date of the founding of the Empire by the legendary hero Salivahana.
The Satavahana king Shalivahana (also identified as Gautamiputra Satakarni) is credited with the initiation of this era known as Shalivahana.
The Salivahana era begins its count of years from the year corresponding to 78 AD of the Gregorian calendar.
Thus, the year 2000 AD corresponds to the year 1922 of the Salivahana Era.
In the terminology used by this lunar calendar, Ugadi falls on Chaitra Sudhdha Paadyami or the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Chaitra.
Telugu calender has a sixty year cycle and starts the new year on ugadi i.e., on Chaitra Sudhdha Paadyami.
After the completion of sixty years, the calendar starts anew with the first year.
Observance in Andhra and Karnataka
The Telugu and Kannada people celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast are de rigueur.
The day, however, begins with ritual showers followed by prayers, and then the eating of a specific mixture of –
- Neem Buds/Flowers for Bitterness
- Jaggery for Sweetness
- Raw Mango for Vagaru
- Tamarind Juice for sour
- Salt for salty
- Green Pepper for hotness
This mixture with all six tastes (షడ్రుచులు), called “Ugadi Pachhadi”(ఉగాది పచ్చడి) in Telugu and “Bevu-Bella”(ಬೇವು-ಬೆಲ್ಲ ) in Kannada, symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of pleasure and pain, which should be accepted together and with equanimity.
Certain communities in Andhra Pradesh prepare a more elaborate sauce, called Ugadi Pachchadi, which is a paste of tamarind, jaggery, mango, neem Buds/Flowers etc.
The symbolism and significance of the preparation is the same.
Later, people traditionally gather to listen to the recitation of the religious almanac (Panchangam) of the coming year, and to the general forecast of the year to come.
This is the Panchanga Sravanam, an informal social function where an elderly and respected person opens the new almanac pertaining to the coming year and makes a general benediction to all present.
The advent of television has changed this routine somewhat, especially in the cities.
Nowadays, people turn on the TV to watch the recitation.
Ugadi celebrations are marked by literary discussions, poetry recitations and recognition of authors of literary works through awards and cultural programmes.
Recitals of classical carnatic music and dance are held in the evenings.
Observance in Maharashtra
The festival is called “Gudi Padwa” in Maharashtra; it heralds the advent of new year and is one of the most auspicious days for Maharashtrians.
It is customary to erect ‘Gudis’ on the first day (Padwa) of the Marathi New Year.
‘Gudi’ is a bamboo staff with a colored silk cloth and a garlanded goblet atop it, which symbolizes victory or achievement.
Hence, this day is known as “Gudipadwa” in Maharashtra.
The New Year is ushered in with the worship of the “Gudi” and the distribution of a specific “Prasad” comprising tender neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery.
The symbolism of tastes is the same as what is described above.
Also in many Maharashtrian homes they celebrate the occasion by making Shrikhand Puri
Ugadi Subhakankshulu! Wishing you all a very happy Ugadi and a great year ahead!
Trivia
Vasanta Navaratri (literally – The 9-night Spring festival) starts on this day and culminates nine days later on Sri Ramanavami which falls on Chaitra Sudhdha Navami. The new year as per the Solar calendar followed by the people of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal falls on 13/14/15th April.
The Significance and Celebrations of Ugadi
Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, is a festival celebrated in the southern states of India, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month, which falls in March or April, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.
The word ‘Ugadi‘ is derived from two Sanskrit words – ‘yuga’ meaning era or age and ‘adi’ meaning the beginning.
Therefore, Ugadi signifies the beginning of a new era or a fresh start.
It is considered an auspicious day as it is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, started the creation process on this day.
Significance of Ugadi
Ugadi is a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future.
It is believed that whatever happens on this day sets the tone for the rest of the year.
People clean their homes, buy new clothes, and prepare festive meals to welcome the New Year with positivity and enthusiasm.
The festival also holds religious significance as it marks the onset of the spring season, which is considered a time of renewal and rejuvenation.
It is believed that Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, wakes up from his cosmic sleep on this day, and the world comes alive with new energy.
Celebrations of Ugadi
Ugadi is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm in the southern states of India. The day begins with an oil bath, followed by prayers and offerings to the deities.
People decorate their homes with mango leaves and rangolis, which are intricate designs made with colored powders.
One of the main rituals of Ugadi is the preparation of ‘Ugadi Pachadi,’ a unique dish made with six different tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, tangy, and spicy.
The ingredients symbolize the various emotions and experiences of life, and the dish is eaten to remind people that life is a mixture of different flavors.
People also exchange greetings and wishes with their friends and family members. It is customary to visit relatives and seek their blessings for the New Year.
In some parts of the southern states, people also organize cultural programs and processions to celebrate the festival.
Conclusion
Ugadi is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year and the onset of spring.
It is a time to reflect on the past, plan for the future, and renew oneself.
The festival holds religious, cultural, and social significance and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the southern states of India.
As we celebrate Ugadi, let us take this opportunity to start afresh and embrace all the opportunities and challenges that the New Year brings.
Ugadi Festival
Ugadi has been a significant and memorable celebration of the Hindus, with archaic writings and engravings recording major altruistic gifts to Hindu sanctuaries and public venues on this day.
That very day is seen as a New Year by Hindus in numerous different pieces of India. For instance,
it is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra however some of the time noticed a Gregorian day sooner in light of the fact that the lunar day starts and finishes in the Hindu schedule as per the situation of the moon.
In Karnataka, the celebration is commended as Yugadi.
As India is known for its flexible culture and the manner in which it is commended, even the New Year fest has various names and times in various pieces of the country.
A celebration that is known by the name of Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, is commended as Ugadi in some different states.
Clear with its name Ugadi or Yugadi,
which is deciphered as the beginning of the new schedule – Yug (new) and adi (the start),
falls on the main day of Chaitra-the principal month in the Hindi schedule.
The celebration is commended with cheerful dispositions, new garments, and a bounty of some mouth-watering customary foods.
It is additionally the primary day when there is an adjustment in the example of the moon’s circle.
Ugadi is praised a day after the primary new moon and after the sun passes the divine equator on the spring equinox.
The festival of yugadi, which is held on the day of the festival yugadi, is a southern state celebration that commemorates the creation of the cosmos in portions of India.
lunisolar calendar terms: Lord Brahma began the year, yuga age.
On the off chance that you are wanting to begin something new, start it today.
Ugadi is the day of fresh starts and guarantees the achievement of new undertakings.
It implies the start of another month, Chaitra masa, which is considered as the beginning of another year in the Hindu schedule.
It denotes the beginning of the Spring season in India implying that nature is likewise prepared for fresh starts.
The principle message of Ugadi is to ascend past satisfaction and distress, disappointment and achievement, and to acknowledge whatever comes in your direction.
The celebration enables you to manage all that occurs in your life, fortunate or unfortunate, in the following year with all inspiration and excitement.
It is fundamentally celebrated by individuals of Karnataka and Andhra who follow the lunar schedule.
Individuals set themselves up by scrubbing down in the first part of the day,
cleaning the house the other day, improving the house with rangolis after the head shower, imploring God for thriving and achievement this new year,
and afterward tasting bevu Bella which means pleasantness and harshness throughout everyday life.
This is trailed by a visit to the sanctuary to implore and for true serenity to get going with.
At that point, companions and family members get together and plan dishes, trade endowments, the youths in the house look for the gifts of the elderly folks to the new year.
Decorate your home with an elegant look Urlis
What does Ugadi mean?
Ugadi is one the most important and historical festivals in South Indian states.
Ugadi is extracted from two Sanskrit words, yuga and adi,
where yuga means age and adi means beginning,
which translates to “the beginning of a new age”.
According to the Hindu calendar, Ugadi is observed on the first day of the bright half of the Chaitra month, also known as Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami.
This generally falls in late March or early April.
Why Ugadi is celebrated?
According to Hindu mythology, it is said that on the day of Ugadi, lord Brahma started the creation of the Universe.
This is also celebrated because it marks the beginning of milder weather in spring after the harsh winter.
Apart from this, it is also said that lord Krishna left the world on the occasion of Ugadi.
History of Ugadi Festival :
For the Hindus, Ugadi has always been a significant historical celebration.
Yugadi has a rich history of mythology.
Hindu mythology holds that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this day.
He introduced years, months, weeks, and days to keep track of time at the outset of this historic effort.
It is because of this that Ugadi is also known as the day that a new era begins.
According to Hindu literature, Lord Vishnu, who goes by the name Yugadikrit, created the Yugas.
As a result, Telugu and Kannadiga people pray to Lord Vishnu for his blessings and ask for happiness, luck, and success in their life.
Importance of Ugadi:
What is the significance of the festival Ugadi?
The term “Yugadi,” which combines the words “Yuga” and “adi,” stands for both the beginning and the cycle of time, respectively.
Ugadi occurs after the Spring Equinox, when the sun moves from the southern to the northern hemisphere.
It symbolizes new life, new desires, and the arrival of spring because it marks the start of the season.
So, as we dig deeper, we discover the festival’s broader significance to the regions that are celebrating.
It combines various customs and civilizations.
The message is straightforward: accept whatever comes your way and move through happiness and grief, with a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the following year.
Ugadi Celebrations and Rituals:
Ugadi preparation begins a week in advance.
Homes are painted, cleaned, and then Rangolis and fresh flowers are added for decoration.
To sanitize the environment, cow dung water is used.
Mango leaves are tied at the door as a representation of wealth and success.
People worship God on this day according to custom, beginning with a holy bath at dawn and praying for blessings for prosperity and happiness in the upcoming year.
Ugadi Delicacies :
Raw mangoes are in season right now.
So, during Ugadi, meals made from raw mangoes like “pulihora” and “bobbatlu” are prepared.
Ugadi Pachadi, a special prasad made with raw mango, flowers,
salt, neem leaves, jaggery, and tamarind, is one of the practises connected to the festival of Ugadi.
The essence of life is supposedly highlighted by Ugadi Pachadi.
Conclusion:
Ugadi is a time for cultural events.
On this day, hymns and devotional songs are sung.
People meet as a community, a family, and prepare and eat meals together.
Each person receives a portion of a special mixture prepared from neem leaves and jaggery.
On this day, a great deal of worshippers goes to temples like the Tirupati Venketeshwara Temple and the Lord Shiva Temple in Srisailam to perform puja for the Almighty.
Dhoops, Agarbatti, and other essence are burned as offerings.