Yugadi

The most widely accepted New Year’s Day among the Hindus is the Caandramaana Yugaadi, the first day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra(March-April). 

Brahma, the Creator is said to have created this world on this day and the reckoning of time begun from the sunrise of this day.  Hence the name Yuga-Adi (Beginning of an era or epoch).  

Emperor Shalivaahana(circa AD 79) is believed to have been crowned on this day.  Consequently this era is called the Shaka Era or the Shalivaahana Shaka.  

Paschaataapa or repentence for the evil deeds committed during the past year, prayers for forgiveness, performance of Mahaashaanti rites to ward off all future evils or misfortune, worship of the presiding deity of the year as indicated by the day of the week on which the Yugaadi falls, worship of Brahmaa the creator with all the Upacharas, worship to other deities, to units of time and nakshatras or asterisms and finally to Vishnu - are the religious rites specially recommended.  

One must also listen to the reading of the Panchanga by the family priest. 

Taking bath after anointing the body with oil, called Abhyanjanasnaana or oil bath, wearing new clothes, decorating the house, eating a mixture of tender neem leaves and jaggery followed by a sumptuous feast, giving presents to servants and dependents - these are the social aspects of the celebration. 

Listening to the forecasts given in the Panchanga can help one to prepare himself for facing the untoward incidents or circumstances.  

Eating the mixture of the bitter neem leaves along with the sweet jaggery is supposed to be good for health and also an antidote for the illnesses common in the spring season.  Taken in a symbolic sense, it can psychologically prepare one to be equanimous under all circumstances of life, whether bringing pain or pleasure.

Chaandramaana Yugaadi is observed widely as the New Year’s Day in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.  In some parts of the country, especially in Maharashtra, a long bamboo is decorated with a silk cloth and a silver or copper vessel is put over it.  A garland of sweets and neem leaves, it is tied at the upper end.  This is called ‘Gudhi.’  This is then worshipped and hoisted on the terrace of the house.  It is taken down after sunset and the sweets and neem leaves are distributed among all, especially the children, to be consumed as prasada or consecrated food.  Because of this custom of raising the Gudhi on the Padhva(or Pratipad day), the day(yugadi) itself is christened as “Gudhi Padva”

According to one belief, this is actually a flag-hoisting ceremony to commemorate the killing of Vali, the monkey chief of Kishkindha, by Sri Rama on this day. 

- Courtesy “Encyclopaedia of Hinduism by Swami Harshananda, Ramakrishna Math”