Ugadi festival (Telugu New Year) - Subhayogam

Ugadi is the Telugu new year celebration for the people of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka states in India. It is derived from the Sanskrit words Yuga - age and Adi - Beginning. This means the start of a new era. Ugadi, the Telugu new year, is observed in the Chaitra month, the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. 

According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls in March or April. The Ugadi festival is also celebrated in Maharashtra as Gudi Padwa. People from all parts of society wear new clothes, prepare varieties of delicacies, offer prayers in the temple, and decorate their houses with rangoli and flowers.

History of Ugadi festival

Learning the Ugadi festival history is essential to understand the significance of celebrating Ugadi. So based on Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma began creating the universe on this auspicious day. He later started creating days, weeks, months, and years to keep track of the time. So, it is believed that Ugadi is the first day of the universe's creation. 

As per Hindu Scriptures, one of the names of Lord Vishnu is Yugadikrit which means the creator of yugas or ages. So, the people worship Lord Vishnu on Ugadi to seek his blessing for peace and prosperity. People also pray to Goddess Durga’s nine forms during the Ugadi festival. 

Why is the Ugadi festival celebrated?

Celebrating the Ugadi festival possesses excellent significance. So, what is the Ugadi festival to people? Many individuals feel this day is a fresh start to achieve success in everything they are determined to do. According to historical records and astrological calculations, the nirvana of Lord Sri Krishna began in the early hours of a fortnight of Chaitra maas, marking the beginning of kali yuga. The spring season sets in on this day, inspiring the hope for a successful future.

It is also observed as the celebration among various individuals as the symbol of gratitude to nature for offering humans every essential thing. Every person on this day celebrates Ugadi with love and prosperity with their families, friends, and relatives.

The importance of celebrating this festival is to rise above all sorrow, failure, happiness, and success in life and accept life as one’s good.

When and How is Ugadi Festival Celebrated?

Ugadi festival is celebrated on shukla paksha of Chaitra month. This year, it is observed on March 22nd, 2023, marking the beginning of Shobhakruthu nama samvatsara. The Shobhakruthu year means that people’s lives are filled with good fortune and great deeds. Here Subha indicates good or auspicious doings, so in entirety, Shobhakruthu means doing good deeds. 

Individuals celebrate the Ugadi festival with cheerfulness and joy. They wake up so early in the morning before the sun rises. They bathe with oil referred to as Abhyanga snana and later bathe the idols of gods and goddesses by pouring water on them while chanting the mantras. They decorate their offices and houses with flowers and mango leaves. People make beautiful rangolis, wear new clothes and seek blessings from the sun god wishing to begin their new year with peace and success. 

They prepare a special dish on this day called ‘Ugadi Pachadi’, which signifies the six different flavors - neem leaves, tamarind, chilli, salt, jaggery, and raw mango. This recipe is made by mixing all these ingredients. Therefore, it possesses a great meaning where every flavour indicates the different essence of life with all its ups and downs. 

• Neem leaves - Offer a bitter taste symbolizing life’s difficulty.
• Unripe or raw mango - Provide tangy flavour representing the surprises in every person’s life. 
• Tamarind - Gives a sour taste representing life’s challenges.
• Chilli - Offer spicy flavour indicating anger.
• Jaggery - Gives a sweet taste symbolising the happy days.
• Salt - Represents essential and exciting life moments. 

In other states like Karnataka, this pachadi is known as ‘Bevu Bella’(Bevu - Bitterness, Bella - Sweetness). Individuals also make other dishes like pulihora and bobbatlu and savour them happily. 

People also hear panchangam, which is a ritual on Ugadi. The astrologers or priests read it and predict the new year based on an individual’s moon sign. 

What is ugadi panchagam?

People do not worship any specific god or goddess on Ugadi. But they gather at one place to listen to ugadi panchagam. It is known as panchang shravanam, which is like a social function where older people, priests, or astrologers recite the yearly forecast of an individual based on their zodiac sign or Janam Rashi (as per moon signs). 

Know your Shobhakruthu nama samvatsara panchagam from a reputed astrologer to predict your life using your zodiac sign to lead a joyful and prosperous life. 

Conclusion 

Ugadi festival is an important festival for Hindus, which provides a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions of India. Many of them believe doing any work on this day is promising. This festival offers the idea of starting afresh and embracing life's challenges and opportunities of the coming year with great determination and optimism.