Which is Samvatsara in 2023?

The New Year is a cause for celebrations in cultures across the world and comes with the symbolization of new leaves and new beginnings for all.

Ugadi panchangam , Yugadi (“the inception of a radical Yug''), or Samvatsarādi is a nine-day summer festival marking the New Year according to the Hindi Calendar.

This festival is celebrated in India’s southern states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana on the first day of the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar.

Ugadi 2023 Date

Spiritual Significance of Ugadi and why it is celebrated

Ugadi panchangam celebrations are said to commemorate the creation of the whole universe by the Hindu God and Creator Lord Brahma. The day symbolizes a new beginning for those

Who celebrate it and is celebrated by cleaning the house, ceremonial bathing with oil and washing hair as is customary with any festival, and worshipping deities.

Ugadi 2023 date

Ugadi 2023 will be celeberated  on Wednesday, March 22 in the year 2023, and will coincide with the Maharashtrian festival of Gudi Padwa which also celebrates the birth of the New Year.

Rituals and Traditions

Every Indian festival brings multiple delicacies with it that are associated with that particular event. Ugadi, being no exception, is celebrated with the preparation of pulihora, bobbatlu, and, most importantly, Ugadi pachadi or bevu Bella.

The Ugadi pachadi is a mix of six ingredients, namely jaggery, neem, salt, tamarind, chili, and raw mango. It is said to symbolize the six elements of life-fear, surprise, grief, rage, bitterness, and happiness.

This is the dish that is primarily offered to the Gods as “naivedyam” on Ugadi day. Apart from this, residences and shops are decorated with flowers and mango leaves adorn the entrances of all places.

Kolams or colorful floral patterns are drawn in front of houses as a mark of joyful celebration. New clothes are worn and prayers are offered to the Sun God.

Temples are visited as well and sweetmeats are distributed among friends, family, and neighbors.
The Panchanga Shravanam is an important ritual on Ugadi panchangam .

It entails the reading of the coming year’s forecast or horoscope by learned men, pandits, or the eldest member of the family. Predictions based on the moon sign are made by astrologers

On this day and it is considered holy to embark on any new venture on Ugadi . Often, copious rains and bountiful harvests are the most desirable of all predictions made on Ugadi panchangam.

History of the Festival

The story of Ugadi panchangam is an interesting one and narrates the mythological origin of the festival, tracing it back to a time when humans did not exist.

It is said that a demon stole the Vedas, or four holy texts, from Lord Brahma who approached Lord Vishnu for help when this happened. Lord Vishnu was then incarnated as a fish, and in his Matsya Avatharam,

killed the demon and returned the lost Vedas to Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma then created the world on Ugadi, a day that is said to be celebrated from the times of the Mahabharata.

 According to Hindu scriptures, Yugaadrit is one of the names of Lord Vishnu. It means “the creator of the ages.” Many people tend to worship both Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma on this day while also celebrating the arrival of the spring season.

 The festival of Ugadi remains one of the most important festivals celebrated in South India since time immemorial and continues to be observed with zeal and gusto in multiple other states under other guises such as the Hindu Calendar New Year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the current Samvatsara?

“Samvatsara” is the Sanskrit/Vedic Literature word or concept for a year and roughly relates to one full cycle of the Earth around the sun. The Samvatsara for the years 2022-23 CE is called ugadi 2023 date
 

Q2. What is Shubhkrut?

Shubhkrut or Subhakarta is the name of the 2022-23 cycle Samvatsara and it means “that which creates prosperity and glory.”

Q3. How is Ugadi calculated?

The calculation of the Ugadi date goes back to the position of the moon in the 12th century. Ugadi is calculated as the beginning of the first new moon after the Spring Equinox and is celebrated on the morning after the Equinox each year.