Ugadi (Samvatsarādi, Yugadi) (30.03.2025) Rohit Kumar Parmar
- rohitkparmar
- 4 days ago
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Pic Ug 01 Pulihora
Ugadi (Samvatsarādi, Yugadi)
(30.03.2025)
-Rohit Kumar Parmar [1]
Ugadi Subhakankshalu
`Y-Ugadi’ is derived from the Sanskrit words Yuga (age) and ādi (beginning); i.e. `the beginning of a new age’. Ugadi is celebrated on Pratipada Tithi (the first day) of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon), which is the first day of Chaitra Maas, the first month of the Indian Calendar (corresponding to March/ April of the Gregorian calendar). Ugadi is another festival coinciding with the onset of spring and the harvest season. [2]
Ugadi (in Telugu ఉగాది); Yugadi (in Kannadiga - ಯುಗಾದಿ); Samvatsaradi (संवत्सर in Sanskrit means `year’ and adi means `beginning’); Chaitra Suddha Paadyami (चैत्र शुद्ध पदयामि); are all नव वर्ष (New Year), for people hailing from/ belonging to/ living in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra (as Gudi Padwa), and some parts of Goa, in India.
The year starting Ugadi 30.03.2025, is called 'Viswavasunama samvatsaram' (विश्ववसुनाम संवत्सरम्). `Viswavasunama samvatsaram’ is the 39th year in the 60-year Hindu calendar cycle, and is in the second of the three parts, which is assigned to Lord Vishnu.
In Hindu mythology, `Vishvavasu’ a prominent Gandharva, a celestial musician, often depicted as a king of the Gandharvas, is known for his connection to illusions and his role in various stories and relationships.
The Sixty Samvatsaras (years in Sanskrit, a word used in Vedic/ other ancient texts) are divided into three parts, with each part having 20 Samvatsaras. [3] The first 20 years are assigned to Brahma, the next 20 years to Vishnu, and the next/ last 20 years to Mahesh/ Shiva. All sixty Samvatsara are identified by a unique name.
Ugadi or Yugadi is celebrated as the first day of the year, which marks the start of a new Samvatsara, which is part of the sixty year cycle. It is believed that Lord Brahma began creating the world, the present Yuga i.e. the Kalyug [4] on Ugadi.
Ugadi is the New Year according to the Luni-Solar calendar. The Luni-Solar calendar considers the position of the Moon and the position of Sun, to divide the year into months and days. The Solar calendar considers only position of the Sun, to divide the year into months and days.
By adopting the Luni-Solar calendar, New Year is celebrated twice in the year, with different names and on different dates of the year. The Indian/ Hindu New Year based on Solar calendar is known as Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Vaisakhi in Punjab, Pana Sankranti in Orissa and Nabo Borsha in West Bengal.
The day begins with the ritual of an oil-bath, followed by prayers. Oil bath and eating Neem leaves are important rituals, suggested by scriptures. North Indians celebrate nine days of Chaitra Navratri Puja. Chaitra Navratri puja starts on the first day of Chaitra Maas and ends on Ram Navami, the ninth day. [5]
As per Hindu astrology, Ugadi falls on an auspicious day, Sadhe Teen Muhurta (साढ़े तीन मुहूर्त, meaning three and a half muhurta/ time). Ugadi day is considered auspicious to start new ventures. Ugadi is also a day for shopping and people do lots of shopping on this day.
In Vedic Astrology, Akshaya Tritiya, Bali Pratipada, Ugadi, and Vijayadashami fall on Sadhe Teen Muhurta. It is believed that all activities on the above days, are considered auspicious, need no Muhurta, and yield positive results.
Traditionally people gather and listen to the reading from the Panchanga (Panch anga or five limbs), [6] which refer to the five attributes of the day – tithi, lunar day; yoga, luni-solar day; vara, day of the week; nakshatra, constellation; and karana, half of a lunar day.
Panchanga includes the general forecast/ predictions for the forthcoming year, based on the Janma-rashi, i.e. the Zodiac sign on which Moon transits, based on the time of birth. The ritual of listening to Panchanga known as Panchanga Sravanam, is a social function, in which an elderly and respected person reads the Panchanga.
Ugadi coincides with the onset of spring and the harvest season in India with several festivals in diverse forms are celebrated in the states/ regions.
Gudi Padava or Samvatsar Padvo in Maharashtra and Konkan region. On Gudi Padava, a bright yellow, orange or green cloth is tied to the tip of a long bamboo with neem leaves, twigs of mango leaves, and a garland of red flowers. A silver or copper pot is placed in the inverted position over it, which is called a Gudi.
Pic Ug 02 Gudi Padwa
Navreh Kashmiri Pandits, celebrate New Year with Navreh thaal consisting of un-husked rice, variants of rotis, curd, salt, sugar candy, walnuts, almonds, flowers, a silver coin, a mirror, a pen and the new panchanga (almanac).
Cheti Chand The Sindhi New Year (in India and Pakistan) is celebrated on the second day of Chaitra Maas, when people worship water – the elixir of life, in honour of the birth of Ishta Dev Uderolal (Jhulelal), the patron saint of the Sindhis.
The Marwaris in Rajasthan and other states, celebrate New Year as per Rajasthani calendar (Marwari Miti) as Thapna.
Sajibu Nongma Panba (Manipur), is the lunar New Year’s eve celebrated with family/ larger gatherings, feasts and offerings. After the feast, family members climb a specially made hillock to pay tribute to the God of hills, signifying elevation of the spirit to a divine height/ level.
Pic Ug 03 Sajibu Nongma Panba [7]
The Hindus of Bali and Indonesia celebrate New Year as Nyepi.
Ugadi is observed by drawing designs on the floor called Muggulu (Kannada: Rangoli), (Pic Ug 04); mango leaf decorations on the entrance/ doors called torana (Kannada: torana, Telugu: toranalu, Pic Ug 05); taking special bath followed by perfume/ oil treatment; praying at home and in temples; charity; exchanging gifts; buying new clothes. Medieval texts and inscriptions record major charitable donations to Hindu temples and community centres on Ugadi.
Muggulu (Telugu: ముగ్గు) (Pic Ug 04)
Muggulu is a form of art using rice flour, chalk, chalk powder or rock powder (only sometimes), with natural and/ or synthetic colours. Female family members clean the entrance of their house with water and apply wet mud and cow dung paste, and then draw Muggulu.
Pic Ug 04 Moggulu at the entrance
The purpose of Muggulu is that ants do not have to walk too long for food. The rice powder also invites birds and other small creatures to eat it, suggesting harmony with nature.
The making of artistic Muggulu/ Kollams is practised in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and some parts of Goa and Maharashtra, as well as in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other Asian countries.
Pic Ug 05 Mango leaf decorations (toranalu) on entrance/door
In Telugu and Kannada traditions, Pachadi (Chutney) is a symbolic reminder that one must expect all flavours (types) of experience in the coming year and enjoy them.
Festive Pachadi is prepared, the ingredients, taste and significance of which are
Pic Ug 06 Ugadi Pachadi 30.03.2025
Pic Ug 07 Tender neem flowers
Tender neem flowers (Pic Ug 07) used in Pachadi help clean the gut of toxins and work as an antibiotic for the upcoming summer heat. Raw mango is used to prepare curries, chutneys, pickles, etc, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.
Bevu Bella (Bevu in Kannada means neem flower (Pic Ug 06), and Bella is jaggery): Distribution/ exchange of a mixture of tender neem flowers and jaggery is a tradition, especially in Karnataka. This is as a lesson to future generations that happiness and sorrow, success and failures are part of our destiny, and alternate. We need to respect and take both of them, as they come. It also teaches us that Life is unpredictable, and we should accept it (life) as it comes.
Pulihora (Pic Ug 01): Prepared with cooked rice, besan (chickpea flour), urad dal (split and washed/ peeled black gram lentil) and peanuts. This delicacy is a favourite of people celebrating this festival.
Bobbatlu: Bobbattu, Baksham, Oliga, Bhakshalu, Pole/ Polae in Telugu; Holige, Obbattu in Kannada; Puran puri, Vedmi in Gujarati; Puran poli (पुरणपोळी) in Marathi; Payasabolli, Bolli in Malayalam; Poli, Uppittu in Tamil; and Ubbatti, Poli in Konkani. Payasabolli is usually served with Paal Payasam (Milk pudding generally with a rice base) in meals and feasts in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Pic Ug 08 Puran Poli, Boli,
Other food include
Masala Vada; Perugu Garelu (dahi vada); as snacks;
Bisibele Bath; Meena Pappu (urad dal); Pappu Panakam, Poriyal (fried or sauted vegetable dish), called Palya in Kannada, Vepudu in Telugu, and Mezhukupuratti in Malayalam; Pulihora (Pic Ug 01); Tonglu; as main dishes;
Annam payasam (Milk pudding with rice); Chalimidi (traditional South Indian sweet made with rice flour, jaggery or sugar, flavoured with cardamom); Mysore Pak and a variant of Ladoo; as sweets.
[1] Author, Freelance, Indian Economic Service, Senior Economic Adviser (Retired), Government of India, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and former Adviser (P 4) UNDP, Yemen has in posts
on his website (https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site),
YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@rohitkparmar),
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/rohit.parmar.5268750/),
been writing/ sharing varied topics and
can be reached at rohitkparmar@yahoo.com.
[2] List of Festivals and Navratris days are also posted on the social media by the author.
[3] The ancient text Surya Siddhanta, which dates, late 4th or early 5th century, calculates a Samvatsara to be about 361 days, 4 days less than a solar year. One complete orbit of Brihaspati (Jupiter) through all the twelve signs of the zodiac, approximately equals twelve solar years. Five such orbits of Jupiter are referred to as a Samvatsara chakra (cycle).
[4] As per Hindu scriptures, there are 4 Yugas - Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga (current yug), in this order.
[5] A write up on First Day of Chaitra Navratri (30.03.2025) dedicated to Maa Shailputri, is at the link https://rohitkparmar.wixsite.com/site/post/first-chaitra-navratri-30-03-2025-maa-shailputri-rohit-kumar-parmar
[6] Panchanga is an Indian/ Hindu calendar and almanack that uses standard Indian/ Hindu timekeeping units and displays important dates and calculations in a tabulated format. These aid/ provide the date/ time for several activities such as prayers, fast, dedication, festivals, etc.
[7] Picture from the internet.
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