Sunday, March 30, 2014

Ugadi: Beginning of New Year

Tomorrow the whole country will celebrate the beginning of new year as Ugadi. It is a time to realize your dreams and for making new beginnings. Know more about the festival of Ugadi by reading this article.

Ugadi 2014 is celebrated as the beginning of new year.

Ugadi or Gudi Padwa marks the beginning of new year. Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra Masa. In the year 2014, Yugadi falls on the date of March 31, 2014 i.e. on Monday.

Yugadi is made from the Sanskrit words ‘Yuga’ and ‘Adi’, in which Yuga stands for 'era' and Adi stands for 'beginning'. Chaitra Masa is the first month of the new year according to the Indian calendar Panchang. Therefore, it is celebrated as the beginning of new year.

Yugadi or Gudi Padwa falls on different dates every year as Hindus follows a lunisolar calendar. It is also celebrated as the first day of Chaitra Navratri which comes during the month of (March-April). Yugadi is celebrated in almost every part of the country. Also in the other countries like- Mauritius, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Different names are used by the people of different states for the festival of Yugadi. Yugadi or Ugadi is the term for the festival that is generally used in some parts of South India that is in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In Maharashtra the festival is celebrated as Gudi Padwa. In Rajasthan, Yugadi is known as Thapna. In Punjab, Punjabis celebrate this day as Baisakhi and in Tamil Nadu, as Puthandu. The day is also considered as a great day for starting any new business or task.
Legends Of Ugadi Or Gudi Padwa

It is believed that Lord Brahma began and created this beautiful universe. Since that time this auspicious day is celebrated as Yugadi. He created the universe, years, months and days on this day.
Celebrations Of Ugadi Or Gudi Padwa

People clean their houses, buy new clothes, prepare some delicious dishes for celebrating Yugadi. They visit temples and pray for a prosperous new year. They distribute sweets in family and friends for celebrating this special day of Yugadi.
Famous Delicacies Of Ugadi Or Gudi Padwa

Ugadi is such a widely celebrated festival. People from almost every state and every religion celebrate this festival with some special delicacies. Some of the delicacies are:
  • Badam Halwa
  • Rice flakes Kheer
  • Coconut Burfi
  • Lemon rice
  • Ugadi Bhojanam – festival Thali
  • Upma
  • Mango Shrikhand

We hope that after reading this article, you will be able to understand the significance of Ugadi or Gudi Padwa in a better way. Wish you all a very happy and prosperous Ugadi or new year.

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