About Ugadi or Yugadi or Samvatsarādi:
Ugadi or Varsa Pratipadd is celebrated as New Year’s day in many states of India. The term ‘Ugadi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word Yuga (age) and ‘Adi’ (commencement), meaning the beginning of new age.
Ugadi is called by various names in different regions of the Indian subcontinent including Gudi Padwa (Maharashtra), Navreh (Kashmir), Cheti Chand (Sindh), and Nyepi (Bali).
When is Ugadi Celebrated:
Ugadi is observed on the first day of Chaitra month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
This Ugadi marks the beginning of the year 2078 in the Vikrami calendar and the year 1943 in the Shalivahana Saka, the two popular Hindus.
When is Ugadi Significance:
Ugadi represents the onset of spring and the harvest season. It is highly auspicious to begin new ventures on this day.
It is also believed that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this day.
When is Ugadi Celebration:
People wake up early and wear new clothes. The temples are decorated with jasmine flowers and mango leaves. The eldest member or the priest reads the Panchdnga presenting the important dates of the year.
Houses are cleaned and decorated, especially with intricate rangoli designs.
A special bittersweet dish called Bevu Bella (Karnataka) or Ugadi Pachhadi (Andhra) is prepared, signifying the essence of life through its different ingredients.