Yugadi (a.k.a. Ugadi) is the first day of the Hindu
calendar (first day of the first month, the Chaitra).
In some parts of India, the tender leaves of neem mixed
with jaggery are distributed on the occasion. The neem, extremely bitter
in taste, and jaggery sweet and delicious, signify the two conflicting
aspects of human life - joy and sorrow. The combination is
exchanged between friends to symbolize renewed warmth and love overcoming
the difficulties of life. It is also an occasion to forgive old debts and
old disputes.
According to the Hindu calendar, we are now in the 5101st year of the KALIYUGA
and the year 1922 of the SHALIVAHANA SHAKA. So we are already in the 2nd
century of the 6th millennium, while the western world is still starting the 2nd
millennium! On 5th of April 2000, we shall be entering the first month of
CHAITRA. This will be followed by VAISHAKA, JYESHTA, AASHADA, SHRAVANA, BHAADRAPADA,
ASHWAYUJA, KARTHIKA, MARGASHIRA, PUSHYA, MAAGHA and PHALGUNA.
The first day of the new year, CHAITRA-PADYA, is celebrated as YUGADI (literally meaning
‘the beginning of the year’) in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. On this day, it is
customary to worship the Sun God, who heralds the beginning of each new day, and the
‘Panchanga’, the ephemery that carries predictions on the general features of
the New Year. A ‘prasadam’ of ‘Bevu-Bella’ (a mixture of neem and
jaggery in equal measure) is prepared and distributed to all the members and visitors to
the house on that day. This denotes the token acceptance by man of all the sweet (jaggery)
and bitter (neem) things that are in store for him in the coming year, with gratitude. For
life is never always sweet, nor is all bitterness. A healthy dose of both is what one
should expect, and be prepared for, and accept with good grace. YUGADI reminds us, year
after year, of this basic truth.
Ugadi Song (Both Kannada as well as English Version)
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