Ugadi-2020: Know the importance and the history of this auspicious day

Team Udayavani, Mar 24, 2020, 4:29 PM IST

Ugadi is the Lunar’s New year day for people of Andhrapradesh and most of the people in Karnataka. The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and aadi (starting) which means ‘the beginning of a new age’.

Ugadi begins on the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. Ugadi is celebrated the next morning as an Indian day starts from sunrise.

History

According to Hindu mythology, the creator Lord Brahma is believed to have started his creation on this day. It is also said that Lord Brahmadeva began his creation with the Chaitra Shukla Podya. According to legends, Brahmana made the week, tithi, star, masa, seasons to facilitate the calculation.

The famed Indian Mathematician Bhaskaracharya’s astronomical calculations in the 12th century determined the date of Ugadi from the sunrise on as the beginning of the New Year, a new month and new day.

On this day, people usually wake up before sunrise, take a customary oil-bath, and wear new clothes. Entrance of the house is decorated with mango leaves. It is said that, Ugadi also happens to be a prosperous day to start something new. So, inauguration of new business ventures is common on this day. Special delicacies are prepared to celebrate the occasion.

Important aspect of the festival is listening to Panchanga the forecast of the coming year as told by priests, astrologers, or older members of the family.

Another special celebration of the Ugadi festival is the Bevu – bella i.e. neem and jaggery, which symbolizes the ups and downs of life. Jaggery is a symbol of the happy moments, neem is the symbol of bitter moments of life. It states that life is a mix of both sweet and bitter moments. A special neem-jaggery mix is ​​first offered to the Lord and then to family members and guests who come home.

This year, Pratipada Tithi begins at 2:57 PM on March 24 and ends at 5:26 PM on March 25. It is also called Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami.