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Ugadi - the Telugu New Year

DeepakDeepak

Ugadi

Ugadi

Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year in Telugu calendar. Ugadi is also known as Telugu New Year and it is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month. In most Hindu calendars, which are based on lunisolar calendars, it is very significant day and also observed as Vikram Samvat and Bhartiya Nava Varsha. The new year celebrations with the name of Ugadi is mostly famous in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In Maharashtra and Karnataka the same day is observed as Gudi Padwa and Yugadi respectively.

Ugadi Celebration
Ladies distributing Pachadi during Ugadi

Ugadi is also popularly known as Samvatsaradi and it literally means the beginning of new Samvat. Samvatsara is the 60 years long cycle which is linked to the position of Jupiter. Each year in Samvatsara cycle is assigned a fixed name and the prediction for the coming year is done based on the nature of new Samvat.

Ugadi Origin | Significance

Ugadi is the first day of lunisolar based Hindu calendar. Most Hindu calendars are based on an ancient treatise popularly known as Surya Siddhanta. As per Hindu beliefs, the treatise of Surya Siddhanta was revealed to mankind by the Lord Surya himself. Hence the origin of Ugadi might be impossible to date.

As per Vedic astrology the day of Ugadi is very significant. The day of Ugadi falls under Sadhe Teen Muhurat. In Vedic Astrology, Ugadi, Akshaya Tritiya, Vijayadashami and half of Bali Pratipada create Sadhe Teen Muhurta and these days need no Muhurta. It is believed that all work conducted on these days give positive results. Ugadi is also very significant for shopping and people do lots of shopping on the day of Ugadi.

Ugadi Deity(s)

There is no specific deity of Ugadi. However, people traditionally gather to listen to the recitation of Panchangam of the New Year which includes the general forecast of the year to come. The ritual of listening Panchanga is known as Panchanga Sravanam. Panchanga Sravanam is an informal social function in which an elderly and respected person will read Panchanga which includes yearly forecast of people based on their Janmarashi i.e. moonsigns.

Ugadi Date and Time

As per Amanta as well as Purnimanta Hindu Calendar -
Shukla Paksha Pratipada (1st day) of Chaitra (1st month)

In case of Chaitra being leaped, Shuddha Chaitra month is preceded by leaped Chaitra month. When it happens, all Ugadi rituals are observed on the first day of Shuddha Chaitra month. However people start using new Samvat name in Sankalpas from the leaped Chaitra month only.

Ugadi Observance

Some of the important Ugadi rituals -

  • taking oil bath i.e. Abhyang Snan
  • hosting flag in home
  • eating tender leaves of Neem
  • Panchanga Sravanam
  • beginning of Chaitra Navratri

Ugadi Regional Variance

  • Ugadi in North India
    In most North Indian states the same day marks the beginning of 9 days Chaitra Navratri festivities which culminate on Rama Navami. Ugadi is mainly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which follows Amanta calendar. In North Indian states which follow Purnimanta calendar, the first day of the year starts 15 days ahead of Chaitra Pratipada or Ugadi. Hence in Purnimanta calendars, the first day of the year begins on the next day of Holika Dahan. However, most Panchang update the Samvat i.e. Vikram Samvat as well as Shaka Samvat on the very same day under discussion.
  • Ugadi in Karnataka
    In Karnataka, Ugadi is observed as Yugadi. In Karnataka, it is very significant day and it marks the beginning of New Year in Kannada Calendar.
  • Ugadi in Maharashtra
    In Maharashtra and Konkani regions, Ugadi is observed as Gudi Padwa. The Gudi Padwa rituals are different than that of Ugadi. However the essence of the day is same as that of Ugadi and it marks the beginning of New Year in Marathi Calendar.
  • Ugadi in Rajasthan
    The Marwari of Rajasthan celebrate the same day as Thapna. Thapna is marked as New Year in Rajasthani and Marwari calendars. Homas i.e. Yajna are also conducted on the day of Thapna.
  • Ugadi in Sindhis
    Ugadi is celebrated as Cheti Chand in Sindhi community. Cheti Chand is an important festival celebrated by Sindhi people of Pakistan and India. According to Hindu calendar, Cheti Chand is celebrated on the second day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha. Most of the times, it is celebrated one day after Ugadi.
  • Ugadi in Bali and Indonesia
    The Hindus of Bali and Indonesia celebrate Ugadi as Nyepi.

Ugadi Recipes

  • Ugadi Pachadi
    Ugadi Pachchadi is very famous dish which has become synonymous with Ugadi. It is made of jaggery, raw mango pieces, neem flowers and tamarind. Ugadi Pachadi is known as Bevu Bella in neighboring state of Karnataka.

Ugadi Similar Festivals

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