Yugadi
KannadaAlso known as: Ugadi, Yugadi
Yugadi
About Yugadi
Yugadi, also known as Ugadi, marks the Kannada New Year and the beginning of the new lunar calendar year. The word 'Yugadi' is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Yuga' (age) and 'adi' (beginning), signifying the start of a new age.
The festival falls in March or April and coincides with the onset of spring. Kannada families prepare a special dish called 'Bevu-Bella' (neem and jaggery), which symbolizes the mixture of joy and sorrow in life.
On this auspicious day, people wake up before dawn, take an oil bath, and wear new clothes. Temples are beautifully decorated, and special pujas are performed to seek blessings for the year ahead.
Vrat Vidhi & Fasting Rules
Yugadi is a celebratory festival. Devotees observe traditional rituals rather than strict fasting.
Om Yugadiyai Namah, I seek the blessings of the divine for a prosperous and harmonious new year.
- Wake up before dawn and take a ritual oil bath.
- Prepare and consume Bevu-Bella (neem and jaggery mixture) as the first food of the year.
- Wear new clothes and visit temples for special Yugadi pujas.
- Listen to the 'Panchanga Sravanam' (almanac reading) at the temple.
Puja Samagri & Ritual Steps
- Clean and decorate the puja room with flowers and rangoli.
- Prepare the Bevu-Bella mixture and other traditional dishes.
- Perform the Yugadi puja with family, offering prayers for prosperity.
- Listen to the Panchanga Sravanam at the temple or at home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bevu-Bella is a mixture of neem flowers (bevu) and jaggery (belli), symbolizing the acceptance of both sorrow and joy in the coming year.
Yugadi marks the Kannada New Year and the beginning of a new lunar cycle. It represents fresh starts and the hope for prosperity in the year ahead.
Note: All timings are represented in 24-hour notation in local time of the selected location with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang, a day starts and ends with local sunrise.
Recommended Pages
Comprehensive annual Hindu calendar with tithis and festivals.
Detailed month-wise view of lunar tithis and celestial events.
Marathi Panchang and festive dates for the year.
Gujarati Vikram Samvat calendar and festivals.
Telugu calendar and festive Panchangam details.
Tamil solar calendar dates and monthly Panchangam.