Happy Ugadi - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, is the New Year's Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. It falls on the first day of Chaitra month, which usually falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
- 2. The word "Ugadi" is derived from the Sanskrit words "yuga" meaning age and "adi" meaning beginning. Therefore, Ugadi signifies the beginning of a new age or era.
- 3. On the day of Ugadi, people clean their houses, decorate them with mango leaves and rangoli, and prepare traditional dishes such as Ugadi Pachadi, a special chutney made with six different flavors symbolizing the different emotions of life.
- 4. Another traditional dish prepared on Ugadi is Obbattu, a sweet flatbread filled with jaggery and lentils.
- 5. People wake up early on Ugadi to take a ritualistic bath and wear new clothes. They then visit temples to seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
- 6. In Karnataka, people perform the ritual of "Panchanga Sravanam" on Ugadi, where they listen to the astrological predictions for the upcoming year.
- 7. Ugadi is also a time for social gatherings and family reunions. People exchange gifts and greetings, visit relatives, and enjoy festive meals together.
- 8. The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and fervor, with traditional music, dance performances, and processions being a common sight during Ugadi festivities.
- 9. In some regions, a special ritual called "Kodi Kodi" is performed on Ugadi, where people hoist a flag on a bamboo pole as a symbol of victory and prosperity.
- 10. Overall, Ugadi is a time of joy, renewal, and hope for a better future. It marks the beginning of a new year filled with opportunities and blessings for all.