Ugadi – How Telugu New Year is Celebrated, Puja timings & History

March 18, 2022

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Ugadi – Ringing in the New year – Andhra – Karnataka – Telangana

Ugadi Festival is a day of joy and celebrations for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Also known as Yugadi. It is the day which rings in the New Year for these states. With it comes new hope and renewed vigour. That is Telugu new year. The name ‘Ugadi’ comes from two words – Yuga, which means age and Adi which means beginning. It is also known as Chandramana Ugadi with reference to the Lunar calendar. Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month. It is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri. Ugadi also signals the end of winter and start of the harvest season.

Ugadi Celebrations Date is 13 April 2021.

History of Ugadi/Yugadi

The stories connected with Ugadi say the Lord Brahma started to create the universe on this day. In other words this was the first day. He then created weeks, months, years and so on. This was the beginning of time as we know it. Ugadi marks the first day of a new astronomical cycle. For the next 21 days the northern hemisphere of the earth will receive maximum sunlight, thereby recharging for a new beginning. Ugadi is the start of the spring season when nature starts to bloom.

Plants and leaves begin to sprout and greenery is evident all around, giving the world a brand new look.

Preparations

Preparations for Ugadi begin much before the actual day. Homes are cleaned and often whitewashed or given a new coat of paint. Shopping for the festival is enthusiastically done. New clothes, appliances and other things are purchased and kept for the big day.

Celebrations and Festivities on the Big Day

The front of houses are washed and cow dung paste is applied. On the big day people awaken at the crack of dawn and have a ritualistic bath with sesame oil, fragrant materials and water. Even Murtis of Devtas are bathed with oil on this day. Doorways of homes, shops, temples and other structures are decorated with mango leaves and flowers. A traditional Rangoli is made in front of homes. A cheerful mood pervades the atmosphere. Enthusiasm is the order of the day. Prayers are first offered to Surya Dev, the Sun God. The ‘Panchanga’ (Hindu Almanac) is also worshipped on this day. The new year’s Panchanga is read for the first time today. If there is a priest, then he is given generous gifts and new clothes.

After that a dish known as ‘Bevu Bela’ (a mix of bitter Neem leaves and Jaggery) is partaken of. The day is spent in visiting temples, meeting family and friends and of course accompanied with feasting. Bhajan and Kirtan programmes are held. Kavi Sammelans are organised on this day. Temples see a surge in crowds. A festive atmosphere envelopes the country.

Pachadi – An essential part of the Celebrations

Pachadi is an amazing dish made specially on the day of Ugadi. It has great significance and no celebration is complete without it. Pachadi is a sweet and sour chutney, but its taste is not limited to sweet and sour only. It is also bitter, salty, hot and tangy. Pachadi is made of six ingredients – each of which denotes a particular emotion in life –

Banana and Jaggery – Sweetness and Happiness

Neem Flowers – Bitterness and Sadness

Green Chilly – Heat and Anger

Salt – Fear

Tamarind – Disgust

Raw Mango – Surprise

Pachadi is a dish that symbolically reminds people that life in the following year will consist of all sorts of experiences. There will be good happy moments, there will be disappointing times. Life will come with a host of other different feelings at different times and it has to be looked upon as a whole. One needs to be prepared for all that comes and deal with situations philosophically.

Ugadi – Many names and places

In Telugu language alone Ugadi has 60 different names. In different states across India Ugadi is celebrated with different names and ways. In Maharashtra it is known as Gudi Padwa. The Sindhi community celebrates this day as Cheti Chand. In Manipur this day is known as Sajibu Cheiraoba. The day may have many names and ways to celebrate but the underlying message is the same. It is a most auspicious day which brings new hope and happiness to all. It is a day which brings peace and harmony in people’s lives.