(Thelugu) (Kannada) ఉా Thelugu: (Ugaadi),(Kannada: యు\ా (Yugadi), Konkani: ) IPA: [juga:di] from yuga + aadi, yuga means era, aadi means start. The start of an era) is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh use the term Yugadi / Ugaadi for this festival. It falls on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March–April) and Ugaadi marks the first day of the new-year. Chaitra is the first month in Panchanga which is the Indian calendar. 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. Manipuris also celebrate their New Year (Sajibu Cheiraoba) on the same day. While it is observed as Baisakhi in Punjab and Puthandu in Tamil Nadu. What to do on Ugaadi? What are the rituals and customs of Ugaadi festival? Ugaadi is celebrated as Thelugu New Year in Andhra Pradesh and Kannada New Year in Karnataka. This is day is popularly known as Marathi New Year or Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. Here is the list of rituals and customs of Ugaadi day in a brief manner: Thailabhyangana Snanam (or ceremonial bath) : Thailabhyangana snanam or the ceremonial oil bath is performed on in the early morning on Ugaadi. Devotees observe Brahma Puja as he was created the universe on this day. Ugaadi Puja: Ganapathi Puja, Lakshmi Narayana Puja, Uma Maheshwara Puja, Vani Hiranyagarbha Puja, Shachi Indra Puja, Arundathi Vasishta Puja, etc are also performed on Ugaadi for happiness and prosperity. World Informative & Entertaining Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ Ugaadi Pachchadi: Ugaadi Pachchadi or the Ugaadi special recipe is offered in Puja and distribute it as Prasadam after the puja. Ugaadi Panchanga Shravanam: In the evening Panchanga Sharavanam is done. Panchanga Shravanam means hearing astrology predictions of the year by the Brahmins. Chalivendram or Free water camp: Some enthusiastic and king hearted people start free water camp (Chalivendra) during the festival and continue it for coming four months (summer). Ugaadi celebrations in temples like Thirumala Thirupathi temple, Dwaraka Thirumala Temple, Srisailam Bramaramba Mallikarjuna temple, Dharmastala Manjunatha temple, Sringeri Sharada temple, Horanadu Annapurna temple, etc. attract lakhs of devotees from all over the country. 1. Ugaadi Mantram – Stotra or Prayer to chant while taking Ugaadi Pachchadi or Bevu Bella Ugaadi is celebrated with utmost pomp and gaiety by all Thelugu and Kannada people all over the world. Ugaadi Pachchadi is the special recipe or prasada distributed among all devotees. There is a mantram or stotram or sloka or prayer to chant while taking Ugaadi Pachchadi or Bevu Bella or Ugaadi prasadam on Ugaadi festival. Here is the slokam: Shathayur vajradehathwam Sarvasampad pradam thathaa ! Sarvarishta haram kurve Nimba prathashanam shubham !! World Informative & Entertaining Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ 2. Ugaadi Significance and Symbolism – Thelugu New Year & Kannada New Year Ugaadi, the nuthana samvatsaradhi or the New Year Day, is celebrated on Chaitra Shudda Pratipada or the first day of Chaitra Masam (Chait month) in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. There is a great significance and cultural importance behind celebrating Thelugu New Year and Kannada New Year on Chaitra Pratipada. This day is also celebrated as Gudi Padwa or Marathi New Year in Maharashtra. In 2010, Ugaadi or Gudi Padwa will be celebrated on March 16, Tuesday. An article written by Udaya B L for Deccan Herald describes the significance and symbolism of Ugaadi in a brief yet crispy manner. The article goes like: Rituals observed on Ugaadi signify many things – leaving behind turbulence of past, commencement of new phase in life with renewed vigour and energy. ‘Bevu-bella – combination of bitter and sweet reminds us of pleasure and pain to be accepted with equanimity. Indians are famous for celebrating their festivals in style and grand manner. All festivals have their own purpose and significance. They could symbolise seasonal change, a new year, signify a value or stand for a great occasion. Thus Sankranthi indicates onset of harvest season, Ugaadi implies heralding of the New Year, and Deepavali signifies the victory of the good over evil. The festivals coupled with specific rituals add a zest to life. The word Ugaadi is derived from Sanskrit, which means beginning of a new year. (Yuga – era, aadi – beginning). Coming close on the heels of Holi, the festival of colours, this day marks the beginning of the new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon’s orbit. It also heralds the onset of the spring – synonymous with ushering in of new life on earth. Spring is considered as the first season of the year indicating a new beginning. The trees shed old leaves paving way for the new one. The verdant trees stand as a metaphor to vibrancy of life, proclaiming the truth that change is the only permanent thing in the world. The occasion signifies commencement of a new phase in life with renewed vigour and energy, past the defeats and unpleasant moments of the bygone year. Ugaadi is observed on Chaitra Shuddha Padyami of the Hindu calendar. It is believed that Lord Brahma began his creation on this day. The great Indian mathematician Bhaskaracharya proclaimed the commencement of the New Year from Ugaadi day. It is said that Lord Rama began his rule in Ayodhya after killing Ravana on this day. World Informative & Entertaining Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ Mythology says Lord Vishnu donned Matsyavatara on Ugaadi and the south Indian King Shaalivahana commenced Shaalivahana Shake (era) from this day to register his victory. While it is called Ugaadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, in Maharashtra the festival is known as Gudi Padwa. Symbolism of Ugaadi: Various rituals mark the ushering in of the new era. Temples and homes are decorated on this day. The entrances are decorated with fresh mango leaves. The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. Karthika and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Shiva and Parvathi were said to be fond of mangoes. According to mythology, Karthika exhorted people to tie mango leaves to the doorway signifying a bumper crop and general wellbeing of the household. Colourful rangolis are drawn in front of the houses to welcome the New Year. The rituals observed on the Ugaadi day signify moving ahead in life leaving the turbulence of the past. The day begins with a ceremonial bath. Elders and children alike wear new clothes and pray for a prosperous new year. A paste of Bevu-Bella (neem and jaggery) is served on this day. The paste has a special significance; it denotes the tastes that the life would offer to an individual in his or her course. (Neem Tree, Neem leaves & Neem flowers) The combination of bitter and sweet reminds us that there would be pleasure and pain in life and one should accept both with equanimity of mind. Neem, though tastes bitter, has medicinal properties as well. Thus consumption of neem also signifies that bitterness or pain refines a human being. In Andhra Pradesh, “Ugaadi Pachchadi” is prepared with neem leaves, jaggery, raw mango, tamarind juice, green chilli and a pinch of salt. The ingredients symbolise six tastes – bitterness, sweet, tang, sourness, heat and saltiness corresponding to six experiences of anger, happiness, disgust, sadness, fear and surprise. Obbattu or holige is the principal dish for the occasion in Karnataka. The 60-year cycle brings us ‘Vikruti’ samvatsara this year. ‘Panchanga shravana‘ (reading of the Panchanga) is usually held in the evenings. The predictions on rain, the crops, the auspicious and inauspicious period, the loss and the gain for the year are World Informative & Entertaining Weblog: http://phanikiran2informative.wordpress.com/ read aloud as a sort of preparing the people for the life ahead. Children and the young seek blessings from the elders on the occasion. In Maharashtra, the festival is observed as Gudi Padwa. A bamboo pole (Gudi) covered by a garland-adorned goblet and a silk cloth is worshipped on the occasion. The pole signifies success. Ugaadi, a celebration of life, thus announces the beginning of all that is new under the sun – the plant and the animal kingdom. While the festive spirit has dwarfed over time for various reasons, the festival provides an occasion to herald change in one’s life, together. 3. History of Ugaadi / Yugadi – Thelugu & Kannada New Year Day Ugaadi or Yugadi Ugaadi is the New Years Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is also celebrated in Maharashtra as Gudi Padwa. Ugaadi 2010 date is March 16. Sindhi people observe the same day as Sindhi New Years Day, Cheti Chand. Since the Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra, Ugaadi is celebrated on the first day of the New Year. Legends of Ugaadi – Yugadi: The Yugadi or Ugaadi observance has many legends or stories around it. Some of them are accurately describe the scene. When KaliYuga has started – the beginning of KaliYuga: “Yesmin Krishno DivamVyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam”, these Sanskrit verses of the great Sage Vedavyasa explains that Kali Yuga has started at the time when Lord Krishna passed away. Yugadi, pronounced as Ugaadi, represents the beginning of a new Yuga (era). Some famous historians of India date the starting of KaliYuga to 3102 B.C. Who Celebrate Ugaadi or Yugadi? Ugaadi is the New Year day for the Hindus between the rivers – Vishyas and Kaveri, eventually the people of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The South Indian calendar follows the procedure of Salivahana era (Salivahana Saka).