Ugadi

Ugadi

Ugadi (Ugādi, Samvatsarādi, Yugadi) is the New Year's Day for the Hindus of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana states in India.[2] It is festively observed in these regions on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra.[3] This typically falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar.[3]

The day is observed by drawing colorful patterns on floor called kolamulus ( Kannada: Rangoli , Telugu: Muggulu, ) mango leaf decorations on doors called torana (kannada : torana,Telugu: Toranalu ), buying and giving gifts such as new clothes, giving charity to the poor, special bath followed by oil treatment, preparing and sharing a special food called pachadi, and visiting Hindu temples.[4][5] The pachadi is a notable festive food that combines all flavors – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and piquance (spicy hot). In Telugu and Kannada Hindu traditions, it is a symbolic reminder that one must expect all flavors of experiences in the coming new year and make the most of them.[6]

Ugadi have been important and historic festival of the Hindus, with medieval texts and inscriptions recording major charitable donations to Hindu temples and community centers on this day.[7] The same day is observed as a New Year by Hindus in many other parts of India. For example, it is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, but sometimes observed a Gregorian day earlier because the lunar day starts and ends in Hindu calendar according to the position of the moon. In Karnataka, the festival is celebrated as Yugadi.

Terminology

The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and ādi (beginning): "the beginning of a new age".[6] Yugadi or Ugadi falls on "Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami" or the first day of the bright half of the Indian month of Chaitra. This generally falls in late March or early April of the Gregorian calendar.[3][4]

The people of Karnataka use the term Yugadi (ಯುಗಾದಿ) and the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh use the term Ugadi (ఉగాది) for this festival.