Ugadi Festival 2021

 Ugadi Festival 2021

Ugadi is South Indian festival mainly celebebrated in Telegana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to mark the begining of a new year. The fiestival is observed on the first day of the Chaitra month as per Hindu calaendar and typically falls in the month of March or April as Gregorian calendar. 

This year Ugadi is beign observed on April 13, 2021. The day is celebrated by drawinpril, rangoli, decorating the house with mango leaves, buyinh new clothes, giving food or clothes to the poor, special oil bath, preparing delicacies like pachadi and visiting a temple. Some people even draw floral is celebrated with zeal and social merriment. The day is also observe as Gudi Padwa in Maharastra. The festival is also celebrated as Yugadi in Karnataka. 

Ugadi or Yugadi word is derived from yuga (age) and adi (beginning of a new age). It  falls on the first day of the lunisoalr month. Prepatios begin a week ago. Houses are throughly cleaned. People buy traditional clothes like Dhoti and buy new items. 

It is belived that Lord Brahma created the universe on this day and thus considered one of the very auspicious days of the year. Not just that, it also marks the commemration of Chaitra Narathri, which leads up to Ram Navami, Lord Rama's birthday, which is celebrated on Mahanavami(ninth day). 

After offering prayes on this day, people consume neem leaves. In some places, devotees even prepare a paste of neem leaves mixed with coriander seeds, tamarind, and jaggery. As per beliefs, consuming the neem purifies our flood and increases our immunity to fight diseases. A part from neem, green chilli / pepper is consumed to keep anger in control.

Ugadi is one of the famous festivals celebrated among the Hindus with great pomp anfanfare. Ugadi is celebrated as the New Year of the Telugu and Kannada people. It is not onlcelebrated by the Hindus but also by Sindhis and Maharashtrian people. The festival is known by different names in different states. It is known by the name of ‘Ugadi’ by the people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and by the name of ‘Gudi Padwa’ by the people Maharashtra and Cheti Chand by Sindhis. Each state has its way of celebrating this festival.