Ugadi 2019: Telugu New Year (6th April)

Future Point wishes a very happy Hindu New Year to everyone!

New Year all over the world is majorly synonymous with January the 1st.

However in the Hindu tradition, the new year begins on the Pratipada Tithi (first date) of the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of the Moon) in the Lunar month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar. This day is known by many names across different regions in India.

In the north, the day is referred as the beginning of the new 'Vikram Samvat' (This year it is Vikram Samvat 2076). In Maharashtra it is called 'Gudi Padwa' and people primarily of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana call it "Ugadi".

This day also marks the beginning of the nine day long festival of Navratri in the entire Hindu community. Navratri is a period when people worship Goddess Durga with an unparalleled enthusiasm and devotion. But coming back to Ugadi, it may interest you that the meaning of Ugadi is taken from two Sanskrit words- 'Yug' and 'Adi'.

'Yug' means a cycle of time and 'Adi' means beginning. In fact, in Karnataka it is even spelled as Yugadi but difference in linguistics is not the point here. Hence Ugadi in its essence means beginning of a new cycle of time!

Also Read: उगादी 2019 तेलगु नव वर्ष ।

Spiritual Significance attached to Ugadi

It is said that astronomically, it was Ugadi, when Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati appeared before Lord Brahma and asked Him to start 'Creation' and hence this very existence came into being.

How do people celebrate Ugadi?

People decorate their homes and there is an amazing festive mood in the households. They start making their homes ready for the festival a week ahead. The doors are decorated with Mango leaves and women draw incredibly beautiful colourful patterns on the floor which are called 'Rangoli' or 'Muggulu'.

Devotees start their day with a ritualistic bath followed by rubbing the body with a perfumed oil and then worshipping their Deity. People dress up for celebrations and give their near and dear ones gifts ranging from sweets to clothes.

Charity is a very big part of Ugadi celebrations and people donate clothes to the poor & needy. Devotees gather in temples to perform prayers and make an auspicious beginning of the new year and temples witness huge donation activities on this day. People prepare a multi-flavored dish called 'Pachadi' which gives the message of accepting all flavours of life and the experiences that the year ahead is bringing to them.

On the Hindu New Year, people in many states after completing the Puja (worship rituals) eat 'Gud' (Jaggery) with Neem leaves or Neem flower buds which is again their recognition to the fact that life will always have both sweet as well as bitter experiences and they must learn to make the best of life.

One very interesting tradition is followed in Karnataka on Yugadi, that is- people worship, read and analyze the 'Panchanga' (details of astrological movements and effects of planets and stars on individuals & nature at large) for the upcoming year.

People find out as per their Moon or Ascendant Signs, what the coming period is holding for them as well as their surroundings with respect to harvest, rainfall etc.