Ugadi ushers in a celebratory mood in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. For the people of these states, Ugadi symbolises the beginning of the New Year as per the Hindu calendar. It is an occasion that is traditionally celebrated with day-long festivities. People undertake new ventures during Ugadi, as it is considered an auspicious time.
Date of Ugadi celebration
Ugadi falls on the first day of Chaitra, the first month in the traditional Hindu calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually falls in March or April. It is the time when New Year’s Day is also celebrated in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Punjab.
Origin of the term ‘Ugadi’
Ugadi is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word Yugadi. The term Yugadi is the merger of two words, Yuga (meaning period or age) and Adi (meaning the beginning). So, Ugadi or Yugadi literally translates to ‘the commencement of a new period or new age’.
Beliefs associated with Ugadi
According to popular beliefs, Ugadi has an age-old association with mythology. Legend has it that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on the Ugadi day. He then went on to create days, weeks, months, and years to keep track of time. Thus, Ugadi is believed to be the first day of the creation of the universe.
Significance of Ugadi
The occasion of Ugadi holds a lot of significance in the people’s lives, which stems from ancient beliefs and practices. The fact that Ugadi is still celebrated with so much fervour and enthusiasm goes on to show its relevance even in today’s time and age.
Spiritual Significance of Ugadi: Since it’s believed that Brahma started the creation of the universe on this auspicious day, Ugadi is celebrated to acknowledge his work. One of the names of Lord Vishnu is Yugaadikrit, which means the creator of the Yugas or ages. He is worshipped on this day for this reason.
Astronomical Significance of Ugadi: As per the lunisolar calendar, Ugadi marks the day a new astronomical cycle gets into motion. The tilt of the earth enables the northern hemisphere to receive the maximum amount of sunlight for 21 days starting on the Ugadi day. It signifies a period when the earth starts to recharge itself for a new beginning with the help of Sun’s energy. Ugadi marks the start of the earth’s energising period.
Significance of Ugadi in Nature: It is the time of the year that heralds in the spring season. With the advent of spring, Mother Nature wakes up from her reverie and gives birth to new shoots, leaves, and plants. A blanket of greenery starts to cover the earth, and everything in nature seems to adorn a new look. Ugadi marks the regeneration of Mother Nature. The spring festival of Vasanta Navratri also commences on this day and continues for nine days before concluding on Ram Navami.
Psychological Significance of Ugadi: A fresh beginning is the essence of human life as well as the occasion of Ugadi. As the trees and plants unfurl new leaves during spring, Ugadi marks the unfurling of new hopes and expectations in human lives. The occasion is about leaving behind the past and starting anew with fresh expectations and a positive frame of mind. Ugadi not only signifies the start of a new year, it also signifies the beginning of a new phase in a person’s life.
Preparations for Ugadi
A lot of preparations are carried out to celebrate the festival. The preparations generally begin a few days in advance. People clean and wash their houses for the occasion. New clothes are bought to be worn on that day. To celebrate the spirit of Ugadi, several other items are purchased and kept ready by the people. They make preparations for the special cuisines to be cooked on the day.
Celebration of Ugadi
The celebration of Ugadi is marked by enthusiasm and cheerfulness. On this special day, people wake up before sunrise and get ready after taking a ceremonial oil-bath, a prevalent custom for Ugadi. Even the idols of gods and goddesses are given an oil bath on this day.
Temples, homes, and shops are decorated with flowers and mango leaves, especially the entrances. Making colourful floral patterns or rangolis in front of the houses is a common practice on the day.
Family members wear new clothes and gather to worship and pray on this day. Prayers are offered to the Sun God before consuming Bevu Bella, a dish that holds much significance in Ugadi celebrations. People visit temples to make offerings, seek blessings from the Almighty, and start the New Year on a happy and positive note.
Special dishes are cooked for the occasion and enjoyed by families. Sweets and eatables are shared with friends and neighbours.
An important aspect of the occasion is the Panchanga Shravanam or hearing of the Panchanga. It is read by the priests at the temples or by the family’s eldest member at home. On this day, based on the moon sign, the learned pandits and astrologers also make predictions and annual forecasts for the New Year.
Starting New Ventures on Ugadi
Many new ventures have started in Ugadi. People commence the construction of their new houses, undertake new business endeavours, make essential purchases, and sign deals on this significant day.
Bevu Bella- A dish celebrating the six flavours of life
On the occasion of Ugadi, people emphasized preparing a special dish incorporating life’s six different and distinct flavours. This dish is called Bevu Bella or Ugadi Pachhadi. Bevu means bitterness, and Bella means sweetness. This dish is made from a mixture of neem flowers or buds, tamarind, chilli powder, unripe mango, salt, and jaggery. It is the first dish to be had on the Ugadi day.
It is a symbolic dish that signifies the essence of life through its ingredients. Each ingredient in this dish signifies a different taste:
- Neem flowers are for a bitter taste that symbolises the difficulties in life
- Tamarind is for a sour taste that symbolises challenges
- Chilli powder is for a spicy taste that symbolises angry or upsetting moments
- Unripe mango is for a tangy taste that symbolises surprises
- Salt is for a salty taste that symbolises interest in life
- Jaggery is for a sweet taste that symbolises happiness
So, the dish has all the flavours, starting from bitterness and ending in sweetness. Bevu Bella denotes that life combines experiences, emotions, and events that one must learn to face bravely. Each member of the family tastes this dish on Ugadi. Apart from Bevu Bella, several other dishes are prepared to celebrate the festivities on Ugadi. Holige and puliogure are two popular dishes of Karnataka that people cook and relish on Ugadi.
Thus, the festival is celebrated to welcome a new start in life every year with the expectations of happiness, well-being, growth, and prosperity.
Also See
- Festivals of Karnataka
- 5 Appetizing Ugadi Recipes
- History of Maddur Vada
- Mahasivrathir Recipes
- 5 Quintessential Navratri recipes – Goddess, Food, and Festival