India is known for its umpteen festivals that are celebrated in a very prosperous and grand manner. Out of all the festivals, Ugadi is believed to be the New Year of Hindus and this festival has an immense significance and contributes a lot to make the country’s culture even more colorful, and full of happiness.
But, a question might pop up, what is the significance of Ugadi?
Well, like every festival Ugadi has its history and we are gonna tell in a nutshell about it.
This year’s Ugadi 2022 is Plavanama Samvatsara which will fall on 02 April 2022 and is celebrated on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada.
Ugadi is also known as ‘Yugadi’, which translates to ‘Start of New Yug (Era in Sanskrit)’, hence called New Year of Hindus. This festival marks the beginning of a new year in the Southern States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. In Maharashtra, people celebrate ‘Gudi Pawda’ on this day, which is also the first day of the ‘Chaitra’ Masam (month). These both festivals are considered the herald of the ‘harvest season. In North India, this day marks the beginning of the spring festival ‘Vasanta Navaratri’ which concludes on Ram Navami. The celebration of both of these festivals is very similar.
The festival Ugadi also marks the beginning of a new astronomical cycle as per the Lunisolar Calendar. That is for 21 days, the earth receives the maximum amount of sunlight, so this period is believed and considered a time when the earth starts to re-energize itself.
Also, it is said that the Ugadi is believed to be the day when Lord Brahma created the Universe. One of the names of Lord Vishnu is Yugaadikrit, which means ‘Creator of the Yugas’, therefore, he is worshipped on this auspicious day.
People grandly celebrate this festival, one of the special dishes made on this festival is “Ugadi Pachadi”.
