Why is Ugadi Celebrated

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Ugadi (Yugadi) is the New Year's Day for the people of the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other communities in India. It falls on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. This holiday is one of the most auspicious days for Kannadigas and Telugus. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March–April) and Ugadi marks the first day of the new year. Chaitra is the first month in Panchanga (the Indian calendar). In some parts of India it is known as Vikram Samvat or Bhartiya Nav Varsh. This holiday is mostly prevalent in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Gudi Padwa, which is the Marathi new year, is also celebrated on the same day. It is a public holiday in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh.

Significance of Ugadi

There is a certain significance to Ugadi being the New Year, and not the first of January, in terms of what is occurring in the planet and in the human physiology and mind on this day. Ugadi follows the lunisolar calendar, which has a direct connection with the way the human body is made. The Indian calendar is very significant not just culturally but scientifically because it connects you with the movements of the planet.

Chandramana Ugadi is the beginning of a new year as per the lunisolar calendar largely followed by the Indian people for many millennia. As in everything else that comes from the East, even the calendar is in terms of what it does to the human physiology and consciousness. The tilt of the globe renders the northern hemisphere to receive the highest amount of the Sun’s energy during the 21-day period that starts from Ugadi. Though it may be uncomfortable for humans in terms of the temperature soaring, this is the time when the earth’s batteries are charged. Ugadi is on the first day of the waxing moon after the first new moon post equinox, suggesting a new beginning. . The people pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. Ugadi is also the most auspicious time to start new ventures.

History

The legend behind this festival is that Lord Brahma created the universe on Ugadi.

The nine day long spring festival of Vasanta Navratri (Chaitra Navratri) begins on this day and concludes on Ram Navami. It is believed that the creator of the Hindu pantheon Lord Brahma started creation on this day - 'Chaitra Suddha Padhyami' or the Ugadi day.

The famed Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya's astronomical calculations in the 12th century determined the date of Ugadi from the sunrise on as the beginning of the New Year, new month and new day.

How is Ugadi celebrated?

Preparations for Ugadi begin a week in advance and include customs common to many spring festivals such as house cleaning and buying new clothes. The day starts with devotees waking up before dawn and taking castor oil baths according to the ritual, after which they decorate their houses: the front with extensively prepared colorful rangolis and the doors and windows with strings of mango leaves that signify good crop and general well-being over the year. It is noteworthy that we use mango leaves and coconuts (as in a Kalasa, to initiate any pooja) only on auspicious occasions to propitiate gods. People also splash fresh cow dung water on the ground in front of their house and draw colorful floral designs. This is a common sight in every household.

People perform the ritualistic worship to God invoking his blessings before they start off with the new year by chewing Jaggery and Neem leaves (known as bevu-bella in Karnataka). The Neem leaves signify bitterness (sadness) and the Jaggery signifies sweetness (happiness), which in turn signifies that the life is a mixture of sweet and bitter days, joy and sorrow and that these should be accepted as a part and parcel of life because the Lord will always be there to bless and protect.

Dishes prepared in the festival

In Karnataka a special dish called Obbattu, or Holige, is prepared. It consists of a filling (gram and jaggery/sugar boiled and made in to a paste) stuffed in a flat roti-like bread. It is usually eaten hot or cold with ghee or milk topping or coconut milk at some places of Karnataka. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a special dish called Bobbattu (Polelu) (Puran Poli) (Oliga) are prepared on this occasion. This special dish is called Bhakshalu in Telangana.

To sum up

Ugadi is not celebrated as the New Year just as part of a belief system or a convenience, there is a science behind it which enhances human wellbeing in many different ways. The message of Ugadi festival is to rise above all: happiness and sorrow, failure and success. Whatever comes in your way, you should accept it as one’s own good. The festival gives you the power to deal with everything that comes in your way, good or bad, in the next year with all enthusiasm and positivity.