History
It is believed that the creator, Brahma, started creation of the universe on this day – “Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada”, and introduced days, weeks, months, and years to keep track of time.
“Yugadi - The name itself says it all: The beginning of the year”. The name Yugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and aadi (beginning). Yugadi, the first festival in our calendar, falls on Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada (Chaitra masa, Shukla paksha, Padya tithi), and is celebrated as beginning of the new year.
It is believed that the creator, Brahma, started creation of the universe on this day – “Chaitra Shuddha Pratipada”, and introduced days, weeks, months, and years to keep track of time.
The day before, homes are given a thorough clean. On Yugadi day, we decorate entrance of the home with fresh mango leaves ‘Torana’, and ‘Rangoli’. We perform the ritualistic worship of God, and eat a special ‘Prasada’ made from bevu (Neem / bitter curry leaves) and bella (jaggery). Bevu bella is a symbolic reminder of different phases – happiness, sadness – of life one should expect and accept all emotions and experiences in the coming year. In Bevu bella, we use liquid or semi-liquid bella (jaggery) which is available in almost all havyaka household. A special dish for the day is ‘Holige’.
