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New Year celebration is known as Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The most significant feature of this day is to hold Kavi Sammelans (poetry recitals) on this day. It is considered as one of the most auspicious days in the year when people start new ventures. In fact, Telugu people all across the globe celebrate Ugadi, the New Year’s Day. People living north of the Vindhya hills observe ‘Barhaspatyamana’, whereas people living to the south of the Vindhyas observe it as ‘Sauramana’ or ‘Chandramana’. Let us also know about the rituals of Ugadi, Significance of Ugadi, Delicacies of Ugadi, as well as historical background of Ugadi.
Ugadi is celebrated on the bright fortnight of full moon or ‘shukla paksha’. Generally, Ugadi falls in the first month of chaitra mash’ and in the first season of the year i.e. during spring season or Vasanta Ritu (in Hindi). According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Brahma started creation on this particular auspicious day called Chaitra Suddha Padhyami or the Ugadi day.
Besides, the great mathematician also declared Ugadi to be the first day of the year and hence the New Year day, new month and new day for the Telugu and Tamil people. Jasmine is the most popular flower of this New Year celebration. Hence, it is the custom to offer garlands of Jasmine on the Ugadi day to all the Gods. Hence, Ugadi, the spring festival signifies new beginning of new life.
Indeed, the lunar Hindu calendar also begins on this day as the moon changes its orbit. Traditionally, it is the custom of the people of Karnataka and Kerals to chant mantras or religious slokas on this day. Pundits make predictions for the upcoming New Year. The most important feature of Ugadi is to listen to the yearly calendar at the temples. This process is known as ‘Panchangasravanam’.
For the celebration of Ugadi, people start planning long before the actual Ugadi day arrives. Cleaning and whitewashing is the general pre-Ugadi fun. Shopping for new clothes, sweets and other requirements is the central feature among people. Mango leaves and coconut is extensively used on this day, as it is considered auspicious and symbolize good crop for the entire year. Delicacies also include mango, coconut and jaggery items. Traditional recipes are Pulihora and Bobbatlu.
offers you information on Ugadi and its significance. Keep flipping the pages of the website.
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