Ugadi is a popular festival celebrated by people in the southern states of India, particularly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. The word ‘Ugadi’ is derived from two Sanskrit words – ‘yuga’ meaning age and ‘adi’ meaning beginning. Hence, the festival marks the beginning of a new age or a new year in the Hindu calendar.
On this day, people eat ‘Bevu-Bella’, a mixture of two ingredients: neem leaves and jaggery, which represent the bitter and sweet aspects of life. The dish symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of both happiness and sorrow, and that one should learn to accept both with equanimity. The neem leaves are known for their medicinal properties and are believed to purify the blood, while jaggery is a sweetener that is used in many Indian desserts. Together, they make a unique and flavorful dish that is an essential part of the Ugadi celebration in Karnataka.
In addition to being celebrated as the New Year festival, Ugadi is also known by different names and celebrated in various ways across different regions of India.
- Yugadi: The term “Yugadi” is used in the state of Karnataka to refer to the festival.
- Gudi Padwa: In the state of Maharashtra, Ugadi is celebrated as “Gudi Padwa” and marks the beginning of the Marathi calendar.
- Cheti Chand: The Sindhi community celebrates the festival as “Cheti Chand” to mark the birth anniversary of their patron saint, Jhulelal.
- Puthandu: In Tamil Nadu, Ugadi is celebrated as “Puthandu” and marks the beginning of the Tamil calendar.
- Vishu: In Kerala, the festival is celebrated as “Vishu” and marks the beginning of the Malayalam calendar.
- Bihu: The Assamese New Year, also known as “Bihu”, is celebrated around the same time as Ugadi.
While the customs and traditions associated with the festival may vary from region to region, the underlying theme of celebrating new beginnings and hoping for prosperity and happiness remains the same.
Here is Canopy Kaapi wishing a very happy Ugadi and a prosperous New Year.