Happy Ugadi 2023: History, significance, and Why it is Celebrated?

Happy Ugadi 2023: History, significance, and Why it is Celebrated?

Happy Ugadi 2023: Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, is a renowned South Indian festival mainly celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana to commemorate the beginning of a new year. The festival of Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, Ugadi falls on M 22, Saturday. Likewise, on the same day, Gudi Padwa, the traditional New year of Maharashtra is enjoyed by the Marathi and Konkani Hindus.

According to the Hindu calendar, Ugadi or Yugadi is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month. The day, also celebrated as Gudi Padwa by Marathi and Konkani Hindus is celebrated with great joy and fervour.

On this glorious occasion, people traditionally decorate their houses with mango leaves, and garlands of flowers, prepare tasty foods, make vibrant rangoli, and decorate them with floral designs in front of the door. Besides, they take a special oil bath to show their devotion to the gods and also wear new clothes.

When is Ugadi (Gudi Padwa) 2023?

Ugadi is the lunar calendar New Year in many states in India like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Manipur, Maharashtra, and Sindh. This festival is welcome to the spring season and usually falls in March and April. It also marks the beginning of the Chaitra month of the lunar calendar. According to our Indian Mythology, Lord Brahma created our world from this day. Ugadi is derived from two words “Yuga” and “Adi” where Yuga means age and adi means beginning.

What do you say on Ugadi (Gudi Padwa)?

Celebrating this festival with family and friends and exchanging good wishes is considered a tradition. Explore the article to get the latest collection of Ugadi Messages, Ugadi 2022 Wishes, Ugadi Quotes, Ugadi festival Greetings Messages, Ugadi Whatsapp status to wish your family, friends, students, girlfriend, employees, husband, lover, colleagues, and much more.

Ugadi History

According to popular legends, the universe was created by Lord Brahma on the same day as that of Ugadi. Lord Brahma then went on to introduce days, weeks, months, and years in order to keep a track of time. Therefore, it is believed that Ugadi marks the beginning or the first day of the universe.

According to Hindu scriptures, Yugaadikrit was one of the many names of Lord Vishnu, which means the creator of ages or Yuga. Therefore, Kannadiga and Telugu people worship Lord Vishnu and seek blessings from the lord for happiness and prosperity in their lives.

Ugadi Significance

The festival of Ugadi marks the arrival of the spring season. Ugadi also marks the beginning of a new era. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu, who is the creator of Yuga or ages. Therefore, the significance of this festival is extremely crucial to the people living in the Deccan region.

Celebration and Rituals

The day starts with a ritualistic oil bath, then followed by prayers. There are numerous customs associated with the Ugadi festival, one of which is the making of the Ugadi pachadi, a special pachadi is made using raw mango, neem flower, jaggery, tamarind, salt, and chilli. It is stated that Ugadi pachadi is said to highlight the essence of life.

• Ugadi is the annual festive time of merry-making, colors, and enjoyment for people of the Deccan region.
• People start preparing for Ugadi almost a week in advance. Houses are cleaned and painted and then decorated with rangolis and fresh flowers. Cow dung water is used to purify the ambiance. Mango leaves are tied at the doorstep as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
• Starting with a holy bath at dawn, people worship God on this day with traditional rituals so as to seek blessings for success and happiness in the coming year.
• People buy new clothes and jewelry on this occasion.
• This season is the time of raw mangoes. Thus dishes made of raw mangoes like ‘pulihora and ‘bobbatlu’ are prepared during Ugadi.
• A traditional dish called ‘Ugadi pachchadi’ is prepared on this day with jaggery, green pepper, salt, neem flowers, tamarind, and raw mango pieces which are symbolic of all the flavours of ‘life’.
• Ugadi is also a time of cultural activities. Devotional songs, hymns, and poetry recitals (kavi sammelan) are organized as a part of this festival.
• People gather together to hear the Panchanga or the forecast of the New Year. This practice is known as ‘Panchanga Shravanam’.
• Ugadi is a time of family unions. People gather together to enjoy and feast on this day. Seeking the blessings of the elders in the family is a must for a happy year ahead according to ancient traditions.
• A special mixture made of neem leaves and jaggery is distributed among everyone.