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Ugadi

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Yugadi/Gudi Padwa
Observed byHindus
TypeTelugu, Maharashtrians, Kannadigas, Konkani New Year's Day
Celebrations1 day
DateMarch (generally), April (occasionally)
2024 datedate missing (please add)

Yugadi or Ugadi (Telugu: ఉగాది, yugādi, Konkani/Marathi: युगादी yugādi, Kannada: ಯುಗಾದಿ, yugādi, IPA: [juga:di], formed by sandhi of yuga "age" and ādi "beginning": the beginning of an age) is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. It falls on the different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. 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 which is the Indian calendar.

While the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh use the term Yugadi/Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa (Marathi: गुढी पाडवा, . Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand.[1] Manipuris also celebrate their New Year (Sajibu Cheiraoba) on the same day. It is observed as Baisakhi in Punjab and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu. However, it is not celebrated on the same day as Yugadi in Tamil Nadu because the Tamils follow a solar calendar.

The Lunar Almanac of the Deccan

The word Yugadi can be explained as; 'Yuga' is the word for 'epoch' or 'era', and 'aadi' stands for 'the beginning'.[citation needed] Yugadi specifically refers to the start of the age we are living in now, Kali Yuga. Kali Yuga started the moment when Lord Krishna left the world. Maharshi Vedavyasa describes this event with the words "Yesmin Krishno divamvyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam". Kali Yuga began on Feb 17/18 midnight 3102 BC.

The festival marks the new year day for people between Vindhyas and Kaveri river who follow the South Indian lunar calendar, pervasively adhered to in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa.

This calendar reckons dates based on the Shalivahana era[citation needed] (Shalivahana Shaka), which begins its count from the supposed date of the founding of the Empire by the legendary hero Shalivahana[citation needed]. 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. [citation needed]

In the terminology used by this lunar calendar (also each year is identified as per Indian Calendar)[citation needed], Yugadi falls on "Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami" or the first day of the bright half of the Indian month of Chaitra.[citation needed] This generally falls in the months of March or April of the Gregorian calendar. In 2011, Ugadi falls on April 4.

Lunar calendars have a sixty year cycle and starts the new year on Yugadi i.e., on "Chaitra Sudhdha Paadyami". After the completion of sixty years, the calendar starts a new with the first year.

Yugadi (start of new year) is based on Bhāskara II[citation needed] lunar calculations in 12th century. It starts on the first new moon after Sun crosses equator from south to north on Spring Equinox. For example, the time for the new moon for Bijapur where Bhaskaracharya was born can be determined from the website [1] However, people celebrate Yugadi on the next morning as Indian day starts from sun rise. Many Indians in America also celebrate Yugadi.

Observance of the festival

The Kannada, Marathi, Telugu and the Konkani diaspora in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast are 'de rigueur'. The day, begins with ritual showers (oil bath) followed by prayers.

Symbolic Eating of a Dish with Six Tastes

The eating of a specific mixture of six tastes (షడ్రుచులు), called Ugadi Pachhadi (ఉగాది పచ్చడి) in Telugu and Bevu-Bella( ಬೇವು-ಬೆಲ್ಲ) in Kannada,[2] symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experiences (sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise) , which should be accepted together and with equanimity through the New Year.

The special mixture consists of:

Special dishes

Obbattu or Bhakshalu/Holigey -prepared on Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

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

Another dish which is prepared on occasion of Ugadi is "Pachadi". It includes 6 tastes which are Theepi,Karam,Pulupu,Vagaru,Chedu and Uppu(in telugu language). We prepare this with the ingrediants are VepaPuvvu,Bellam,Karam,Maavidikaya,Uppu and Chinthakaya(in Telugu language). Nuthana Samvatsara Shubhakankshalu to all Telugu people.

Recitation of Almanac

Later, people traditionally gather to listen to the recitation of the religious Panchangam (almanac) of the new year, and the general forecast of the year to come. This is called the 'Panchanga Sravanam', an informal social function where an elderly and respected person refers to the new almanac and makes a general benediction to all present. The advent of television has changed this routine, especially in the cities. Nowadays, people turn on the TV to watch broadcasts of the "Panchanga Sravanam" recitation.

Cultural and Literary events

Ugadi celebrations are marked by literary discussions, poetry recitations and recognition of authors of literary works through awards and cultural programs. Recitals of classical Carnatic music and dance are held in the evenings.

Festive wishes

When you meet any Telugu people and want to wish them for Telugu New Year, you say "Ugadi Shubhakankshalu - ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు (Noothana Samvatsara Shubhakankshalu - నూతన సంవత్సర శుభాకాంక్షలు)". In response they greet you with, "Meeku goda Ugadi Shubhakankshalu - మీకు కూడా ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు (Meeku goda Noothana Samvatsara Shubhakankshalu - మీకు కూడా నూతన సంవత్సర శుభాకాంక్షలు)".

In 2011 Year greeting should be Sri Khara Nama Samvatsara Shubhakankshalu

In Kannada, the greeting would be "Yugadi Habbada Shubhashayagalu" - ಯುಗಾದಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು (Greetings for the festival of Yugadi) or "Hosa varshada shubhashayagaLu" - ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು (Greetings on the new year).

In Konkani,it would be Navve varsache shubhashyay,Samvatsar padvyachi shubheccha.

In Marathi, it would be 'गुढी पाडव्याच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा'(Gudhi padvyachya hardik shubhechcha).

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ugadi a time to rejoice". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 April 2005.
  2. ^ "B'lore welcomes Kannada New Year". IBN live. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
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