Ugadi 2024 - The New Year of the Deccan region of India

Ugadi or Yugadi literally means 'the beginning of a new age'. With reference to the commencement of the Kali Yuga that started when Lord Krishna left the world, Ugadi is celebrated as the New Year in the Deccan region that lies between the Vindhyachal hills and the Kaveri river,consisting of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.

Ugadi 2024 is on April 09 Tuesday

When is Ugadi celebrated?

It is celebrated on the first day of the Shukla paksha of the Indian month of Chaitra. According to the Gregorian calendar, Ugadi falls in the month of March-April.

A market ahead of Ugadi Festival in Bengaluru

Spiritual Significance of Ugadi

Ugadi starts after the sun changes its position from the southern to the northern hemisphere during the Spring Equinox. It marks the beginning of the spring and thus is symbolic of new life, new hopes and aspirations. According to mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, started his work on this day. This festival also marks the home-coming of Lord Rama after his exile.

Also Read: Ugadi: The Festival of Spirituality in Photos

Other names of Ugadi

This day is celebrated as the beginning of a new year in different parts of the country.

• Thapna in Rajasthan
• Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra
• Sajubu nongma padwa in Manipur
• Chheti chand among Sindhis
• Puthandu in Tamil Nadu
• Baisakhi in Punjab

Also Read: GUDI PADWA: Know the Auspicious Marathi New Year

Rituals of Ugadi

Image Source: Prokerala
• Ugadi is the annual festive time of merry-making, colours and enjoyment for people of the Deccan region.
• People start preparing for Ugadi almost a week in advance. Houses are cleaned and painted and then decorated with rangolis and fresh flowers. Cow dung water is used to purify the ambience. Mango leaves are ties at the doorstep as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
• Starting with a holy bath at dawn, people worship God on this day with traditional rituals so as to seek blessings for success and happiness in the coming year.
• People buy new clothes and jewellery on this occasion.
• This season is the time of raw mangoes. Thus dishes made of raw mangoes like 'pulihora and 'bobbatlu' are prepared during Ugadi.
• A traditional dish called 'Ugadi pachchadi' is prepared on this day with jaggery, green pepper, salt, neem flowers, tamarind and raw mango pieces which is symbolic of all the flavours of 'life'.
• Ugadi is also the time of cultural activities. Devotional songs, hymns and poetry recitals (kavi sammelan) are organized as a part of this festival.
• People gather together to hear the Panchanga or the forecast of the New Year. This practice is known as 'Panchanga Shravanam'.
• Ugadi is a time of family unions. People gather together to enjoy and feast on this day. Seeking blessings of the elders in the family is a must for a happy year ahead according to ancient traditions.
• A special mixture made of neem leaves and jaggery is distributed among everyone.
• Devotees in large numbers visit temples like the Tirupati Venketeshwara temple and Lord Shiva temple at Srisailam on this day to offer puja to the Almighty.

Important Timings On Ugadi 2024