Yugadi festival marks the first day of the new religious year according to the Hindu Chandramana (Lunar) calendar. It also brings new life and possibilities with the onset of Vasanth Ruthu(Spring). The origin of the name Yugadi has been derived from the Sanskrit words “Yuga + Adi” meaning beginning of a new age.
According to Hindu myths, Lord Brahma created the earth & set days, nights, dates, weeks, months, seasons & years to count the time. During Ramayana period, the new year was being celebrated on the first day of Uttarayana. So, Chaitra was the 12th month. It is believed that, Varahamihira, a saint who lived in 6th century started a new method of celebrating new year on chaitra shudda prathipade (padya). His calculation was based on the onset of Spring.
Yugadi marks a beginning of new life with plants acquiring new life, shoots & leaves. Chaitra masa ends the shivering winter season. We see budding soft leaves, flowers & fruits; listen to chanting of birds & smell fragrance of flowers from distance. We find happiness booming everywhere. The fresh & green fields and meadows full of colorful blossoms signifies growth, prosperity and well being.
People start preparations for the festival a week ahead. Houses are given a thorough wash. Shopping of new clothes and other items are done with a lot of excitement. People wake up before the first light, apply coconut oil on their skin and take a head bath after which they decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves. Wearing new clothes, they offer Pooja for the God, invoking his blessings before they start off with the New Year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business too. Ugadi is considered to be the most auspicious time to start new ventures. People eat “Bevu-Bella” which is a mixture of neem leaves and jaggery. It symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of pleasure & pain which should be accepted together & with equanimity.
Another important aspect of this festival is ” Panchanga Shravanam “, hearing of the Panchanga (religious almanac for the New Year). The Panchanga Shravanam is chanted at the temples by the priests. The Panchanga Shravanam consists of narration of the Panchanga, the new almanac that provides a prediction of things to expect in the coming year according to each Rashi or Nakshatra.
Finally, it is a day for the family to celebrate and spend together.
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