V.K.Beeharry
Member,Arya Veer.
The word ‘Yugadi’ is derived from Sanskrit. It is a mix Yug meaning era and adi meaning beginning. Hence, UGADI or YUGADI, means the beginning of a new era/year.
The Gregorian calendar starts with the month of January. The first day of January is the new year according to the Gregorian calendar. Similarly, the Hindu calendar starts with the month of Chaitra. The first day of the month of Chaitra is called Chaitra Shukla Paksha. The Hindu new year is celebrated in accordance with the Panchanga – the Hindu lunar calendar. It generally falls during late March or early April according to the Gregorian calendar.
India is a vast country with a multitude of traditions and customs. Each state in India celebrates the new year, under different names, in its own way following customs and traditions prevalent in that particular state. In Maharashtra, it is known as Gudi Padwa. The word Padwa comes from the Sanskrit word Pratipada meaning the first day of the lunar month. UGADI is a very popular festival in the south of India, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The new year is also known as the Naw Samvatsar. Samvatsar is a Sanskrit term for year in Vedic literature such as Rig Veda and ancient texts. The exact day of the Hindu new year is not the same every year. It is calculated in accordance with the lunar calendar.
UGADI also coincides with the advent of spring and harvest season. This festival is considered auspicious to start a new business, to buy property, a car etc. It is on this auspicious occasion that Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj.
UGADI is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and fervour. Entrances of houses, offices and shops are beautifully decorated with flowers and colourful floral patterns or rangoli using coloured rice or flower petals. It is a traditional way to celebrate this festival. Mango leaves adorn doorsteps as it is believed that mango leaves are auspicious and they bring good luck.
UGADI is a festival which involves rituals and customs. The day starts with the ritual oil bath followed by prayers. Oil should be made from a mixture of castor, coconut, and mustard oil. On this special day, there is exchange of gifts, charity to the poor and visits to friends and relatives.
Special food called Ugadi pachadi is prepared on this day. This notable festive food is a combination of ingredients to give all six flavours of food – sour, bitter, sweet, salty, spicy, and astringent. The food is made of tamarind paste(sour), neem flowers(bitter), jaggery(sweet), table salt(salty), green chilies (spicy) and raw mangoes(astringent). It is a symbolic reminder that life is full of ups and downs. We should be ready to experience the different flavours of life.
Wishing you all happy UGADI.
V.K.Beeharry
Member,Arya Veer.