Mangalore, April 11: Chandramana Yugadi, as per Hindu calendar a New Year from today and most of the Hindu communities celebrate this Ugadi all over India and abroad. It is not necessary that all the regions have their new year on the same day. The month of chaitra marks the beginning of the year for most communities.
UGADI in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka-The Telugu and Kannada New year falls on the first day of the month of Chaitra (March-April) and people from these states in the south India believe that Lord Brahma began the creation of Universe on this auspicious day of Ugadi
GUDI PADWA in Maharashtra and Goa-In Maharashtra, this new year is celebrated as “Gudhi Padwa” that herald the advent of Spring(March-April).Early morning of the first day of Chaitra month, people finish their ablutions, wear new clothes and decorate their houses with” colourful Rangoli” patterns.A silk banner is raised and worshiped and greetings and sweets are exchanged. People hang “Gudhis” on their windows on this day to celebrate Mother Nature’s bounty.A “Gudi”is a decorated pole with a brass or silver vessel placed on it.
CHETTI CHAND for Sindhis- Chetti Chand falls on the first day of Chaitra month, also called as Cheti in sindhi.This day is celebrated as the birthday of Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhis.On this day Sindhis worship Varun,the water god and observe a number of rituals followed by feast and devotional music.
BAISAKHI in Punjabi-“Baisakhi” traditionally a harvest festival is celebrated on the 13th of April every year, marking the Punjabi New Year. People celebrate the joyous occasion by performing Bhangra and Giddha.
POILA BAISAKHI in Bengal-The first day of the Bengali new year falls on the 13th or 14th of April every year. All new enterprises begin on this auspicious day, as businessmen open their fresh ledgers with “Haal Khata” a ceremony, in which Lord Ganesha is summoned and customers are invited to settle all their old dues and offered free refreshments.
VARSHA PIRAPPU in Tamil Nadu-It is the first day of Chithirai, the first month in the traditional Tamil calendar. Every household is thoroughly cleaned and tastefully decorated-the doorways are garlanded with mango leaves strung together and Vilakku Kolam decorative Patterns adorn the floors.
BIHU in Assam-The Northeastern state of Assam ushers in the New Year with the spring festival of Bohaag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, which marks the onset of new agricultural cycle.
VISHU in Kerala-“Vishu” is the first day in the first month of Medam in Kerala, the beautiful coastal state in southern India. The people of this state-the Malayalees-begin the day early in the morning by visiting the temple and seeing any auspicious sight.
No matter whichever day, this occasion falls, the spirit is the same in all communities. A wish for joy, peace and prosperity in every household is what everybody prays for.
Derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Yuga and Aadi’ meaning era and beginning.Ugadi literally means the beginning of new era and is considered an auspicious day for new beginnings and ventures.
Dressed in new clothes, each member of the family is filled with enthusiasm during this day. Seeking the welfare of loved ones, special rituals, poojas and prayers are offered in temples by families to mark this auspicious day.
The festival of Chandramana Ugadi which falls on Thursday heralds the beginning of New Year according to Hindu lunar calendar. It marks the beginning of spring and the beginning of new era.
Hence this festival is welcomed and celebrated with joy and happiness in households in the southern part of the country.
Although observed with great fervour in the Deccan region of India, in the coastal belt of Karnataka it is mostly the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins and Carpenters/Goldsmiths who celebrate Ugadi, for people in tulunadu follow customs and traditions different from the rest. It is day when family and friends get together and pray for general well being. Family members clean house thoroughly and decorate it with mango”torans’ and rangolis”.
In Tulunadu, most people celebrate the Souramana Ugadi, popularly known as Bisu.falling on April 11 this year, this festival celebrated by tuluvas marks the beginning of the year according to the solar calendar.
