Garden 2023: The first day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ugadi in South Indian states. The auspicious day is celebrated with great pomp in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar; Hence, Chaitra Navratri begins on the first day of the 9-day long festival. It is also known as Hindu New Year. In some states, this first day is especially important. Maharashtra and Goa celebrate the same day as Gudi Padwa, while Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka celebrate it as Ugadi.
Ugadi Day and Date
The Pratipada Tithi begins at 10:52 PM on March 21 (Tuesday) and ends at 8:20 PM on March 22 (Wednesday), emphasizing the importance of the festival of Ugadi.
History and Significance of Ugadi
Ugadi is also called Yugadi which means new beginning. The word is derived from two words: Yuga means age, and Adi refers to new beginnings. The day is celebrated as the first day of the Hindu calendar as it is believed that Lord Brahma created the world on this day.
In the 12th century, the Hindu mathematician Bhaskaracharya recognized Ugadi as the beginning of the new year. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the warm weather after the chilly winters.
Ugadi festival
The day begins with a customary oil bath followed by prayers. Hindu rituals such as oil bath, flag hoisting, rangoli making and eating neem leaves are traditional practices that promote forecasting for the coming year. Panchang Shravanam is a ceremony in which knowledgeable people interpret information based on their moon signs.