Ugadi - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Ugadi, also known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, is a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar followed in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- 2. Ugadi falls on the first day of the Chaitra month, which usually falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar.
- 3. The word "Ugadi" is derived from the Sanskrit words "yuga" (age) and "adi" (beginning), meaning the beginning of a new age.
- 4. On Ugadi, people clean their homes, decorate them with mango leaves and marigold flowers, and prepare traditional dishes to celebrate the occasion.
- 5. One of the key traditions of Ugadi is the preparation of a special dish called "Ugadi Pachadi," which is a mixture of six different tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, and tangy, symbolizing the various experiences of life.
- 6. Another important ritual on Ugadi is the reading of the Panchangam, which is the Hindu almanac that predicts the future events for the upcoming year.
- 7. People also visit temples, offer prayers, and seek blessings for a prosperous and successful year ahead.
- 8. In some regions, a special ritual called "Panchanga Sravanam" is performed, where a learned priest reads out the predictions for the year ahead based on the Panchangam.
- 9. Ugadi is also a time for family gatherings, exchanging gifts, and sharing festive meals with loved ones.
- 10. Overall, Ugadi is a time of joy, renewal, and hope for a fresh start in the coming year. It is a time to reflect on the past year, set new goals, and look forward to a brighter future.