Ugadi 2023: Know The History And Significance

New Delhi: Chaitra Navratri’s first day is celebrated as Ugadi in southern Indian states. Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar; hence, the first day of the 9-day-long festival marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri. Maharashtra and Goa observe the same day as Gudi Padwa, while Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka celebrate it as Ugadi.

Ugadi History and significance

Ugadi is also known as Yugadi meaning fresh beginnings. The term originates from two words: yug means era, and adi refers to new beginnings. This day is observed as the first day of the Hindu calendar since it is thought that Lord Brahma created the world on this day.

In the 12th century, the Hindu mathematician Bhaskaracharya recognized Ugadi as the start of the new year. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the warmer weather after the chilly winter.

Ugadi 2023: Celebrations

The day is commemorated by painting vibrant designs called Muggulu on the floor, hanging torana — mango leaf decorations — on doorways, purchasing and giving gifts like new clothing, carrying out charitable acts for the needy, providing oil massages and special baths to oneself, making and distributing a popular festive dish named pachadi, and visiting Hindu temples.

Pacchadi serves as a symbolic reminder to the people that the coming year, as well as all of life, would be filled with a variety of flavours rather than only sweet ones. The food combines all the flavours, sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and piquant, into one dish.

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