Ugadi or Yugadi is the New Year celebrations of Hindus from the states of South India namely Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana. This year Ugadi will fall on March 18, 2018, which collides along with Maharashtrian New year celebrations- Gudi Padwa. The panchangam states to celebrate it on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar traditional calendar. It is the first day of the month of Chaitra. Like every festive celebration, this too sees a good feast and colourful celebration. Ugadi the word means ‘beginning of a new age.’ It is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar traditional calendar. It is the first day of the month of Chaitra. Like every celebration, people make their houses spic and span.

Some enthusiastic people start their celebrations a week prior, it involves looking for the right decorations, preparing food items, shopping etc. Maharashtrians have a belief that this day is good to start out new ventures. Fresh mango leaves and flower garlands are put on front doors for good luck. Some also use coconuts for decorating. For those who decide on starting on new businesses, it is extra preparations because they need ready up everything and decorate.

Significance of Ugadi:

‘Yug’ means age and ‘Adi’ means the beginning, so Yugadi translates to new age beginning. According to mythology, Lord Brahma the creator formed wonderful creations, including the earth and life forms. It also symbolizes the beginning of life forms on the earth- the Kali Yuga which we live in today. So, this very day acknowledges the day when Lord Brahma started making them. Along with this, the day also sets a new astronomical cycle. The basic idea is leaving behind the past and starting afresh with a positive attitude. The festival of spring also marks a beginning of fresh plants and flowers blooming which once again represents a positive beginning.

According to Indian mathematician Bhaskaracharya’s astronomical calculations in the 12th century, it determined the dates of Ugadi from sunrise as the beginning of New year, new month and a new day.

Puja Muhurat for Ugadi:

Telugu Samvatsara 2075 Begins

Pratipada Tithi Begins = 18:41 on 17/Mar/2018

Pratipada Tithi Ends = 18:31 on 18/Mar/2018

Puja Vidhi for Ugadi:

Most people also colour their house while they undertake the cleaning process. The first bath is taken with traditional oils applied to the body and follow it up with religious prayers. Scriptures also suggest eating of neem leaves as a part of the rituals for the day. In the evening people gather to discuss and hear the almanac of the coming year. It is mostly a ritual in the South part of the country, the North Indians only celebrate the nine-day Chaitra Navratri.

Ugadi is overall a celebration of prosperity with new beginnings. People dress up, cook good festive food and wish each other for joy and good luck. Just as spring brings with it a feeling full of bloom and cheer, people celebrate Ugadi in the same manner.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2018 03:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).