Ugadi festival is also known as Yugadi or Samvatsaradi, a new year festival celebrated in Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka. The word Yugadi means, Yuga means age of time and Adi means starting, symbolizing the start of new era. It is a beginning of the Hindu lunar new year. On this occasion, people welcome the new year with open hearts and minds, aspiring for the blessings, new beginnings, opportunities and transformation this year has to offer. Like, the New Year celebrates on 1st January of every year, In Indian Lunar calendar, year changes with this day.
It is observed on 1st day of Chaitra Masa (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada) as per Hindu calendar, where the month ends with new moon of every month. This is marking the onset of spring (Vasanta Ritu) and beginning of new lunar cycle. It is the day to honor, Lord Brahma creator of universe, who is believed to started creation on this day. Just like new year resolutions, vision boards, this is Indian way of doing certain rituals, reflecting past year, and plan ahead with hope, positivity and gratitude.
In the state of Maharashtra the same day is celebrated as Gudi Padwa. In Tamilnadu, new year celebrated on Mesha Sankranti Day, the day when Sun enters in Aries sign. Which is occurs on April 14th or 15th, Tamil New Year starts every year according to Sun transit.
Rituals and Traditions
- Oil bath / Abhyangana Snana – Abhyangana snana (Tailabhanganam) is the very first thing to do on this day, In brahmi Muhurta or on specific good time people head bath using Sesame Oil, which is believed to purify the body and soul.
- House cleaning and decoration – Homes are thoroughly cleaned and adorned with beautiful rangoli designs, Doors are decorated with marigold garland and mango leaf decorations to welcome the new year with a positivity and good luck. Houses look pleasant, spread good vibes with divinity at every place.
- New Cloths (Nootana Vastra aabharana Dharana) –
- Special Offerings and Prayers – Families offer prayers to deities and seek blessings for the prosperous new year ahead. Lord Ganesha is worshipped and offered Undrallu as Naivedya for the interruption in the works throughout the year.
- Panchanga Sravanam – Panchanga (Vedic Almanac) is the main key role plays on this festival day. It is tradition where astrologers read out the Panchanga to predict the upcoming year’s events, major planetary transits and effects on each zodiac sign, eclipses information and the good and bad days for the crop in the upcoming year.
- Traditional Feast on Ugadi day – Enjoying the feast on Indian festivals is a must, each festival menu is different and Ugadi delicacies are also special. Pulihora (Tamarind Rice), Bobbattu/Obbattu/Holige (Sweet flatbread), and the main one Ugadi Pachadi (a unique mix of 6 flavours – bitter, sweet, sour, salty, tangy and spicy), which represent different emotions in the life.
- Ugadi Pachadi – A symbol of of Life Flavours
- Bitter (Neem Flowers) – Difficulties
- Sweet (Jaggery )- Happiness
- Sour (Tamarind) – Dissappointments
- Salty (Lavanam or Salt) – Fear or Contentment
- Tangy (Raw Mango)- Surprises
- Spicy (Miriyam)- Excitement and Anger
This dish symbolically reminds to embrace every emotion in life as both joys and sorrows is part of life journey.
From this day of Chaitra Masa Pratipada/Padyami Navaratri begins, called as Vasanta Navaratri or Chaitra Navaratri. Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine forms on these nine days. The ninth day is celebrated as Rama Navami, the birth day of the god Sri Rama.
The planetary transition, aspects, effects are mostly checked by people on ugadi festival day and perform any remedies to reduce the negative effects of planets.