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Ougadi 2023: Date, History, Facts and Significance

According to the legend surrounding Ougadi, the Hindu deity of the universe, Brahma, created the entire universe on that day.

By Newsd
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Ougadi 2023: Ougadi or Ugadi is a public holiday celebrated primarily by the Hindu Telugu and Kannada communities in late March or early April to mark the commencement of the Hindu new year. This year’s event will occur on March 22. It is primarily observed by Hindu communities in India and Mauritius to commemorate the birth of Brahma, the creator god, which signifies the start of a new era. Observers celebrate Ougadi with prayers, feasts, and grand cultural celebrations that require them to contemplate the past and make plans for the future.

HISTORY OF OUGADI

According to the legend surrounding Ougadi, the Hindu deity of the universe, Brahma, created the entire universe on that day. It is also the day that the great protection deity Krishna left the earth. In Hindu mythology, Krishna’s death and Brahma’s birth mark the beginning of a new epoch, making this the Hindu new year.

Since its inception in 78 B.C., when the Hindu ‘Saka’ lunar calendar was created during India’s Shalivahana era, Ougadi has been a significant and historic occasion for Hindus. Middle Ages inscriptions and manuscripts mention Ougadi celebrations. Additionally, it is a public holiday in several regions of India as well as countries with substantial Hindu communities, such as Mauritius.

The word ‘Ougadi’ or ‘Ugadi’ is composed of two words: ‘Yuga,’ which means age, and ‘Adi,’ which means the commencement or beginning. The date dates back to the 12th century, when Indian astronomer Bhaskaracharya first calculated the position of the moon after the spring equinox to determine the Ougadi as the beginning of a new year. Due to its occurrence between late March and early April on the Western calendar, Ougadi is considered a spring celebration. Ougadi also occurs during the nine-day Hindu spring festival of Vasanta Navratri, which culminates in the celebration of Ram Navami.

On this day, people traditionally prepare feasts for their families, pray in temples, participate in cultural activities, and visit their neighbours. Several traditions are observed on this day, including bathing one’s head in coconut oil, known as “Abhyang,” and decorating one’s front door with mango leaves to symbolise purification and welcome prosperity. As a new year’s celebration, Ougadi emphasises self-purification in preparation for a new day. It is a time for looking back on the past and planning for the future.

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HOW TO WATCH OUGADI

Get Together With your Family

In the spirit of Ougadi, gather with your loved ones to reflect on the past year. This could also be an opportunity to communicate with them, let go of the past, and set goals for the upcoming year. A new year signifies a clean slate. Together entering the new year is the finest way to begin it.

Prepare and Enjoy Some Traditional Dishes

To commemorate the event, serve traditional Ougadi dishes. Common delicacies include the traditional drink ‘ougadi pachadi,’ ‘pulihora,’ ‘bevu bella,”medu vada,’ ‘poornam boorelu,’ tamarind juice, and mangoes. These varied cuisines serve as a reminder that life is a mixture of emotions and tastes, ranging from pleasurable to unpleasant.

Participate in Purification Rituals to Greet the New Year with a Clear Slate.

Participate in the traditional Ougadi purification rituals in preparation for the new year. These can include doing the ‘Abhyang’ ritual, which involves massaging your head with coconut oil, or simply cleaning your home for a clean start to the new year.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT OUGADI

Doing ‘Abhyang’ Multiplies your Blessings

The ‘Abhyang’ oil bath ritual is founded on the belief that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in oil and the Goddess Ganga resides in water; by undertaking the ceremony, you can receive the blessings of both deities.

Ougadi is observed outside of India and Mauritius.

The Hindus of Bali and Indonesia commemorate Ougadi under the name Nyepi on the same day.

The cleansing procedure begins with bitterness

Observers typically begin the day by consuming bitter neem leaves to cleanse the circulation and strengthen the body in preparation for the new year.

It occurs at the height of mango season.

Mangoes are an important symbol of Ougadi and the day coincidentally takes place at the zenith of mango harvesting season in India.

It receives the most solar radiation.

During Ougadi, the axis of the Earth is tilted such that the Northern Hemisphere receives the most sunlight.

WHY OUGADI IS ESSENTIAL

It is time for contemplation

Ougadi is a time for introspection and fresh starts. It is a time when we reflect on our past lives and identify instances where we could have performed better. Thus, Ougadi encourages us to examine our inner selves in order to determine how we can become better individuals, which will benefit us in the future.

It facilitates the formation of deeper relationships.

As a new year’s celebration, Ougadi accentuates the significance of our loved ones and how we can better ourselves for them and for ourselves. In the atmosphere of the new year, it is a time when people come together and leave the past behind. In other words, this holiday promotes forgiveness and compassion for others.

It helps us see the universe on a grander scale

Ougadi is a festival honouring the Hindu religion and its values of peace and compassion. It compels us to take a broader view of the world and recognise that we are all in this life together. By recognising this perspective, we can comprehend life in a deeper capacity and form, thereby enhancing our interactions with one another.

OUGADI DATES

Year Date Day
2022 April 2 Saturday
2023 March 22 Wednesday
2024 April 9 Tuesday
2025 March 30 Sunday
2026 March 20 Friday

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