Ugadi Puja Vidhi: Yugadi 2025 Significance, And Rituals To Perform At Home – News18
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Ugadi Puja Vidhi: Ugadi 2025, celebrated on March 30, marks the Hindu New Year in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. Traditions include oil baths, neem leaves, and Pachadi.
Ugadi 2025: Lord Brahma is worshipped on Yugadi.(Image: Shutterstock)
Ugadi Puja Vidhi: Ugadi is one of the various festivals that are celebrated across the country to welcome the arrival of the Hindu New Year. This year, Ugadi is being celebrated today, on March 30. The pious festival is celebrated in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. Also called “Yugadi” in Karnataka, the festivity is characterised by various traditional rituals, which might vary region-wise.
Ugadi Tradition: Oil bath, consumption of neem leaves
One such set of rituals includes taking an oil bath and consuming neem leaves. Exchange of gifts is one of the common practices on Ugadi. A special decorative piece made of mango leaves, also called the torana, is typically placed on doors on this occasion.
One of the customs associated with Ugadi is the drawing of colourful patterns on the floor. These eye-catching decorations are called Muggulu.
Ugadi: Why Lord Brahma is worshipped on this day
On the occasion of Ugadi, people primarily worship Lord Brahma. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma created the universe on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which is why the festival is celebrated on this day. Devotees also worship Lord Vishnu on the occasion of Ugadi to seek his blessings for life filled with prosperity.
Ugadi: What does the festival signify?
Like other Hindu New Year celebrations, Ugadi also marks the arrival of spring. “Yugadi” is an amalgamation of two Sanskrit words: “yuga” (age) and “adi” (beginning).
The word “Yugadi” hence denotes “The beginning of a new age”. Ugadi is incomplete without Pachadi, which can be best described as a ‘chutney’ boasting all flavours, namely sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and tangy.
Ugadi Pachadi Significance
Pachadi is offered to Gods before being consumed by devotees on the day of Ugadi. It is usually the first thing consumed by people on the occasion. Some of the most common ingredients used in the preparation of Pachadi are neem leaves, tamarind paste and jaggery. The exact recipe might vary region-by-region.
Ugadi Puja Vidhi: Rituals performed at home
A common tradition that is followed on Ugadi includes wearing new clothes after taking an oil bath early in the morning.
Devotees typically worship Lord Brahma on this day by reading ‘mantras’ to seek his blessings.
People also draw the divine symbol of ‘Swastika’ on Ugadi using turmeric powder or vermillion (sindoor).
