Ugadi: Its Significance & Preparations

Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 12:05

Ugadi or Yugadi is a special festival in South India. It is the celebration of New Year in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Ugadi is derived from 'Yuga' and 'Aadi' which means “beginning of a new age or era”. According to the lunar calender/chandramana, Yugadi is celebrated on Chaitra Shuddha Padya (bright fortnight of the first month, Chaitra Masa.

Ugadi Significance:

It signifies the onset of spring and the end of winter season. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe started creation on this day. This means that Ugadi is the New Year, New Month and New Day. Lord Brahma created days, nights, months, years and seasons.

Yugadi is also celebrated in Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam with different names such as Gudipadava (Maharashtra), Baisakhi (Punjab), Vishu (Kerala), Bohaag Bihu (Assam) and Nabo Borsho (West Bengal).

Ugadi Preparations:

Few weeks before Yugadi, houses are cleaned and decorated traditionally with flowers. Pooja rooms are decorated with rangoli and flowers. Haathu Perumal is worshiped on this day. Members of the house take oil bath before praying. This is one important ritual of Ugadi.

On the festival day, the entrance of the house and pooja room is decorated with flowers and mango leaves. Mango leaves signify healthy well being and good harvest.

Bevu Bella is distributed after the pooja. Bevu is neem and Bella is jaggery. This combination is used to signify that life is a mixture of sweet and bitter days., joy and sorrow, good and bad. These should be accepted as a part and parcel of life and that Perumal is there with you. There are other Yugadi delicacies using the summer fruit, mango are also there.

Ugadi's spiritual significance is, it is the best time to start new projects and even a good day to get married.