All Your Child Needs To Know About Ugadi

Ugadi: An Auspicious Beginning

The word Ugadi is derived from two different words; 'Yuga' that means 'age' in Sanskrit and 'Adi' that means 'beginning in both Sanskrit and Kannada. This festival celebrates the New Year in Karnataka. This day is also known as Chandramana Ugadi and refers to the beginning of the New Year according to the Hindu Lunar calendar that usually falls in the months of March and April (as per the Gregorian calendar). This auspicious day involves religious observances and customers.

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What is the significance of Ugadi?

The word Ugadi means the beginning of the new age. It refers to the Kaliyuga age which we are living in now that began after the passing away of Krishna . Ugadi is the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls in April or March. Chaitra is the first month in the Hindu calendar and Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year . It is also the day when there is a change in the moon's orbit. Ugadi is celebrated a day after the first new moon and after the sun crosses the celestial equator on the spring equinox.

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Where is Ugadi celebrated?

Ugadi is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. As India is known for its versatile culture, even this festival has different names in different parts of the country. A festival called the Gudi Parva is celebrated in Maharashtra at the same time as Ugadi.

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What is This New Year's Day Called In Different States ?

Ugadi 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/Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day as Gudi Padwa. The Marwaris from Rajasthan celebrate the same day as their new year day, Thapna. Sindhis celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand. Manipuris also celebrate their New Year (Sajibu nongma panba) on the same day.

The Kannada, Tulu, Marathi, Telugu and the Konkani celebrate the festival with great fanfare.

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History of Ugadi

This tri-state festival is believed to be the result of the common rulers from the Satavahana Dynasty. Watch this clip to know all about the history and significance of Ugadi.

Reference to Ugadi in Ancient Texts

Some of the earliest references to Ugadi is in ancient texts such as the 'Jayasimhakalpadruma' and the 'Purushaarthachintamani'. King Jayasimha who ruled Mathura around 1713 wrote the 'Jayasimhakalpadruma' and detailed how Indian festivals were observed in different parts of the country.

The line in Sanskrit, "Asyaam Vai Nimbapatraani Prashya Samsrunuyaat" (And one consumes the fresh flowers and tender leaves of the neem tree), tells us the importance of neem leaves.

There are also references to this being the beginning of summer and to people opening sheds that dispensed water to everyone.

In the text 'Samrajyalakshmipithika', compiled in Thanjavur, we find a few more interesting references to what the king or rulers of the land practiced. On the first day the king places fresh neem leaves and jaggery on his head and prays to the family gods.

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The Legends Of Ugadi

According to popular beliefs, Ugadi has an age-old association with mythology. Legend has it that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on the Ugadi day. He then went on to create days, weeks, months, and years in order to keep track of time. Thus, Ugadi is believed to be the first day of the creation of the universe.

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Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Ugadi

Whatever be the name, the 'Chaitra Shuddha Paadyami' or the day of Ugadi is the reason for celebration for a large sect of the Hindus. Read on to know more about this festival of new beginnings.

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