Ugadi / Gudi Padwa / Cheti Chand / Chitra – leading festival in India

The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and Ugadi or Gudi Padwa or Cheti Chand or Chitra marks the first day of the new year. The various names are from various parts of India. This festival is celebrated on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and this festival marks the first day of the new year.

Ugadi

Ugadi (meaning beginning; the start of an era) is the new year’s day for the people of the Deccan / Andhra Pradesh region of India. Ugadi is actually Yugadi, means the aadi(beginning) of new(Kali)Yuga. The Telugu people celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast are de rigueur. The day, however, begins with ritual showers (oil bath) followed by prayers, and then the eating of a specific mixture of –  Neem Buds/Flowers for bitterness, Raw Mango for tang, Tamarind Juice for sourness, Green Chilli/Pepper for heat, Jaggery for sweetness, Pinch of Salt for saltiness. This mixture with all six tastes, called “Ugadi Pachhadi” in Telugu symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experiences (sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise) , which should be accepted together and with equanimity.

Gudi Padwa

The people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. The festival is called “Gudi Padwa” in Maharashtra; it heralds the advent of new year and is one of the most auspicious days for Maharashtrians. According to the Brahma Purana, this is the day on which Brahma created the world after the deluge and time began to tick from this day forth. This is one of the 3 and a half days in the Indian Lunar calendar called “Sade-Teen Muhurt”, whose every moment is considered auspicious in general to start a new activity.

It is customary to erect ‘Gudis’ on the first day (Padwa) of the Marathi New Year. ‘Gudi’ is a bamboo staff with a colored silk cloth and a garlanded goblet atop it, which symbolizes victory or achievement. Hence, this day is known as “Gudipadwa” in Maharashtra. The New Year is ushered in with the worship of the “Gudi” and the distribution of a specific “Prasad” comprising tender neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery. The symbolism of tastes is the same as what is described above. Also in many Maharashtrian homes they celebrate the occasion by making Shrikhand Puri.

Cheti Chand

Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand. The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the Patron Saint of the Sindhis. This day is considered to be very auspicious and is celebrated with pompous and gaiety. On this day, people worship water – the elixir of life.

Followers of Jhulelal observe Chaliho Sahab. It suggests that for forty long days and nights they underwent rituals and vigil on the bank of Sindhu. They did not shave, nor did they wear new clothes or shoes. They did not use soap or oil or any opulent thing. They just washed their clothes, dried them and wore them again. In the evening, they worshipped God Varun, sang songs in his praise and prayed for their solace and salvation. After 40 days of Chaaliho, the followers of Jhulelal celebrate the occasion with festivity as ‘Thanks Giving Day’ even till today.

On this day many Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to nearby River or Lake. Baharana Sahib Consists of Jyot, Misiri, Phota, Fal, Akha. Behind is Kalsh and a Nariyal in it, covered with Cloth and phool, patta. There is also Murti of Pujya Jhulelal Devta.

How to wish Cheti Chand: When you meet any Sindhi and want to wish him for Sindhi New Year, you say “Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav”. In response “Tohan khe bhi Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav”.