Ugadi Holiday 2023 (Wednesday, 22nd March) – Kannada Yugadi 2023

Ugadi is a popular festival in many states of South India, especially among the Kannada and Telugu speaking population. It is derived from the Sanskrit words “yuga” and “adi”, meaning the “dawn of a new age”. Ugadi is also marked as Gudi padwa in Maharashtra. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ugadi holiday from its history to significance to where it’s celebrated. Read on to know about Ugadi 2023.

When is Ugadi in 2023?

Ugadi 2023 date falls on 22nd March, Wednesday. The preparations begin a week prior to the festival. People start cleaning and decorating their houses and prepare for traditional rituals.

Ugadi Festival Dates Between 2023 – 2030

History and Background of Ugadi Holiday

Ugadi marks the beginning of the new year according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It marks the advent of Spring.The festival celebrates the day when Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe. According to Hindu mythology, the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma began on Ugadi. He then introduced days, weeks, months, and years, so people could keep a track of time. So, according to Hindu beliefs, Ugadi signifies the beginning of the universe as we know it today. 

Ugadi also marks the beginning of the Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day festival. On the first day of the festival, people celebrate and worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Chaitra Navratri eventually leads to Ram Navami, which is celebrated as Lord Ram’s birthday.

Although Ugadi may be important to different people for different reasons, it  is celebrated with great enthusiasm across many parts of India.

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Significance of Ugadi Festival

Ugadi symbolises the beginning of a “new age” according to certain Hindu scriptures and beliefs.It is celebrated on the first day of “Chaitra”, the first month in the Hindu calendar. People gather with family and friends to celebrate the start of a new year and to reflect on the past year. It is also a time for traditional rituals and ceremonies, such as preparing and eating Ugadi Pachadi after offering it to God. This traditional recipe, made with neem, jaggery, and tamarind, is a fine blend of all six tastes of human palate, called “Shadruchulu”, and represents the six major emotions of life – fear, sadness, anger, happiness, surprise, and repugnance. 

People celebrate the day to welcome the new year with joy and blessings from deities. Traditions and rituals are also an important part of the Ugadi festival 2023 celebrations. These rituals speak of the historical importance of the festival, the preparations for which begin one week prior to the festival.

How is Ugadi Celebrated?

Ugadi festival celebrations begin with usual rituals, pujas, and more. The preparations for celebrating the festival begin one week in advance. People clean their homes and decorate the entrances with flower garlands and mango leaves. They also decorate their home entrances with vibrant rangolis. They also buy new clothes. In southern states of the country, people begin the day with oil baths. 

On this day, it is customary for people to make special Ugadi dishes, such as Pachadi, Holige, Mavinakai chitranna, and payasam to name a few.

Decorating homes with Muggulu (colourful patterns on the floor), visiting temples to offer prayers, exchanging gifts, and engaging in charity are some of the most common practices of the Ugadi holiday.

In northern states of India, people consume neem leaves, often prepared as a paste mixed with coriander seeds, tamarind, and jaggery, after praying.

Ugadi Rituals

1. People start celebrating Ugadi almost one week in advance by cleaning and painting  their home. They also decorated their home with rangolis and fresh flowers.
2. Ugadi is the time for family reunion,where they gather around to enjoy a feast and other activities.
3. People gift themselves new clothes and jewelry to celebrate this day.
4. A traditional dish Ugadi Pachchadi is prepared on this day as it symbolise all the flavors of life.
5. A mixture of neem and jaggery is distributed to everyone.

Why is Ugadi Celebrated?

Ugadi is the festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year across the Deccan region. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra. The festival also celebrates the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma. It is believed that on this day, Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe. It is typically celebrated with prayers, family gatherings, and traditional rituals and customs.

Where is Ugadi Celebrated? 

Ugadi is known by different names across different regions and states in India. Here’s a list of states where the festival is observed:

Sindhis also celebrate the same day as the beginning of the new calendar year. They refer to the festival as Cheti Chand. In Bali, Indonesia, Hindus celebrate the same day as their new year and refer to it as Nyepi. In Mauritius, Ugadi is one of the five national public holidays for Hindus. For north Indians, it marks the beginning of Chaitra Navratri.

Final Word

According to the Hindu almanac or panchangam, Ugadi marks the beginning of the spring season. It is a celebration of life, prosperity, honesty, devotion, unity, and abundance.

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