Significance of UGADI - The Sixty Year Cycle...

Yugaadi-krit Yugaavarto Naikamaayo Mahashanah

Adrishyo Vyaktaroopashcha Sahasrajid Anandajit

Ugadi, a part and parcel of the concept of Hindu time element marks the beginning of the most auspicious season Vasantha Ruthu (Spring Season) when generally we find trees start to blossom. Yugaadi denote one of the several names of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. Sloka # 33 of Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram describes Lord Vishnu as Yugaadi-krit (one who creates Yugas), Yugaavarto (one who causes the repetition of Yugas)…. Hence, it is befitting to celebrate this day with the worship of the Para Brahma, the Supreme Lord, Sri ManNarayana who is the cause and effect of this infinite Time element.

As per the Hindu Lunar Calendar, first day (Prathama thithi) of Sukla Paksha (Bright fortnight) in Chaithra Masam is considered as the day on which the Creation had started that marked the beginning of Sri Swetha Varaha Kalpa. That day is being referred to as Kalpaadi. It is also considered as the day on which the Yuga had commenced and hence, it is also referred to as Yugaadi or Ugadi. As per the astrological estimates it is said that Lord Sri Krishna’s Niryaana took place at the early hours on the first day of the bright fortnight (Prathipada) in the lunar month of Chaitra Masam corresonding to 18.02.3102 BC that marked the beginning of the Kaliyuga. Hence, Ugadi can also be assumed as the beginning of Kaliyuga.

In the concept of Ugaadi the sixty year cycle has the following names... 

Prabhava, Vibhava, Shukla, Pramoda, Prajapathi, Angeerasa, Shrimukha, Bhaava, Yuva, Dhaata, Eeshwara, Bahudhaanya, Pramadhi, Vikrama, Vrusha, Chitrabhanu, Subhanu, Taarana, Paarthiva, Vyaya, Sarvajittu, Sarvadhaari, Virodhi, Vikruthi, Khara, Nandana, Vijaya, Jaya, Manmatha, Durmukha, Hevalambi, Vilambi, Vikaari, Saarvari, Plava, Shubakrut, Shobhakrut, Krodhi, Vishvavasu, Paraabhava, Plavanga, Keelaka, Saumya, Saadhaarana, Virodhikrit, Paridhavi, Pramaadee, Aananda, Raakshasa, Nala, Pingala, Kaalayukthi, Siddharthi, Raudra, Durmathi, Dundubhi, Rudhirodgaari, Raktaakshi, Krodhana, and Akshaya.

As per a popular legend these sixty names are said to have been associated with the Divine Sage Narada. Considered as Brahma Manasa Puthra, Sage Narada is a great Scholar, Saint and Philosopher depicted as a Divine Messenger. In all the Divine stories we find Narada playing a key role and his involvement in one way or the other. As per the legend in brief, once upon a time Sage Narada caught in the mystery of Sri Maha Vishnu Maya (illusion) added with a curse from Lord Brahma had to become a damsel with a desire to experience the materialistic life. In the process the Damsel marries a King and gives birth to 60 sons. Later, during the course of time the King along with his 60 sons dies in a battle. Grief stricken the damsel (Narada) came out of illusion with Lord’s mercy and realised that it was the Maya of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. In memory of Narada’s (Damsel’s) sons and to give eternity to their names, Lord Vishnu blessed them that thenceforth, the sixty year cycle of Hindu time element would be represented by their names.

Ugaadi signifies the current period in which we are living as per the Hindu time element in a 60 year cycle with each new year (Ugaadi) denoted by a unique name starting from Prabhava and ending with Akshaya. 

In North India and Gujarat people follow the calendar as per the Vikrama Sakha and accordingly the commencement of New Year differs. There, it starts from the first day of Chaitra Bahula Paksha known as Baisakhi. In Gujarat it will be from the first day of Kartheeka Masam after Deepavali Amavasya. Even in South India where Salivahana Sakha is followed, commencement of the New Year is observed on two different dates. In case of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra and Goa, Ugadi is observed on the first day of Sukla Paksha in Chaithra Masam as per the Lunar Calendar known as Chaandramana. In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Ugaadi occurs as per Solar Calendar known as Sauramana, on the day when Sun enters into Mesha (Aries) Raasi which generally happen around 13th or 14th of April every year. While it is known as Ugaadi in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it is called as Gudi Padwa in Maharastra and Goa. While in Tamil Nadu it is called as Puthandu festival, in Kerala it is known as Vishu festival.

Ugaadi marks the beginning of nine day festival called Vasantha Navaraathri also known as Sri Rama Navarathri celebrated for a period of nine days ending with Sri Rama Navami. It is a Hindu tradition to begin any new activity on an auspicious note especially if it is coinciding with Ugadi. It is considered as one of the four very auspicious days in Electional Astrology and is known as Sade Theen Muhurtha. On this day it is prescribed and highly meritorious to perform Thailabhyanganam, Sun worship, Nimba Kusuma Bhakshana, Panchanga Sravanam etc…

For more details about significance, traditions and customs of Ugaadi you may like to read a related articles from the following link .......

UGADI THE NEW YEAR

For more details on the Concept of Hindu Time Element you may like to read a related article from the following link......

KALPA - The Hindu Time Element (Kaala Ganana)

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu