Ugadi, the New Year for the people living in the Deccan area also celebrates the arrival of spring season. This is the time of the year when the entire nature appears to be drowned in the festive spirit and their lies the spiritual significance of Ugadi. Like the new leaves, new buds, fresh breeze and bright sunlight, the Ugadi festival also symbolises the birth of a new era.It is celebrated on ShuklaPaksha (bright fortnight) of the first month Chaitra of the Hindu calendar and also the first season, Vasanta –Ritu Spring). As all these elements works together, the Ugadi festival importance is very significant.

Spiritual Significance of Ugadi: According to the Hindu belief, Lord Brahma, the creator started creating the earth on this auspicious day.Yugaadi is one among the several names of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is addressed as Yugaadikrit, the one who is the creator of Yugas. So this day is the most auspicious day to worship the Para Brahma, who is creator of the Time element.

Ugadi Historical Significance: According to the astrological calculations, it is considered that Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryaana was commenced in the early hours of bright fortnight of Chaitra that corresponds to 18.02.3102 BC and this day also marks the beginning of the Kaliyug. So Ugadi is also believed to be the onset of Kaliyuga. Even the great Mathematician Bhaskaracharya professed that Ugadi historical significance as the commencement of the New Year and month.

Ugadi: The Festival

Ugadi is celebrated with much vigour in various states of India as a festival of prosperity. Along with the onset of a year, the Ugadi festival importanceis felt amongst the mass.It celebrates the vibrancy of nature as well as life.

The colourful blossoms symbolises growth and thus Jasmine, which blooms during this time of the year is offered to Gods in the form of garlands. There are many customs of the festival which are an integral part of Ugadi significance and symbolism. One such custom is that making UgadiPachadi.

The significance of UgadiPachadi is immense as it symbolises the essence of life.This special dish is prepared with ingredients like:

• Jaggery (sweet): symbolising happiness
• Salt (salty) :showing interest in life
• Tamarind (sour) :symbolising challenges
• Neem flowers (bitter) :shows difficulties of life
• Raw mango (tangy): indicating surprises and new challenges
• Chilli powder (spicy): showing the angry moments in one’s life.

The dish is significant as it has all the tastes of life. It teaches that life is a mixture of all the emotions.Each and every ritual followed on this day, has its own significance. Hanging of mango leaves and placing a kalash near the door or the calling of the priest to make the yearly forecast are all part of Ugadi significance and symbolism.