The Story of Gudi Padwa or Ugadi, or Cheti Chand.

In this episode, we talk about the story behind the festival of Gudi Padwa or Ugadi, also known as Cheti Chand or Navreh or Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba.

You can listen to the story of Gudi Padwa or Ugadi by clicking below

The story about the festival of Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi/ Cheti Chand is as follows:

Today is the first day of Chaitra month , it marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Hindu calendar.  Do you know why it is considered the first day of the year?

Because , the sun states itself at the point of intersection of the equator and the meridians. This position of the sun denotes the commencement of the season of spring. The day is also special because this was the day when Lord Ram killed the ape king Vali to crown his brother Sugriv the king of Kishkindha. After an year, Lord Ram  came back to Ayodhya after killing Ravana on the same day. Another incident which makes this day auspicious is that, the Saka registered victory over the Huns and  marks the commencement of the Shalivahan calendar. According to  Brahma Puran ,this is the day when Lord  Brahma created the universe out of chaos.

In Maharashtra and Goa, people celebrate this day as Gudi Padwa. The Gudi is observed at the entrance of Maharashtrain households. Do you know  what Gudi is? A Gudi is a stick covered in a bright cloth adorned with brocade or zari that has been topped with sugar crystals, neem leaves, twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers. This is covered by a silver or copper pot in an inverted position.  Families are supposed to begin this day by eating bittersweet leaves of neem tree or a paste which is prepared with neem leaves, jaggery and tamarind. The paste is believed to purify blood and strengthen the body’s immune system.

In AndraPradesh, Telangana and Karnataka ,  the  festival is celebrated as  Ugadi . The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and ādi (beginning): “the beginning of a new age”

The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis. This day is considered to be very auspicious and is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. On this day, people worship water.

The first day of Chitra is celebrated in Kashmir as Navreh It is on the eve of Navreh that the Kulguru of a Pandit family gets a new almanac (panchang) with a sacred picture of Ma Sharika on it and some sacred verses.

It is also celebrated in the North Eastern state of Manipur as Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba.

So what is your new year story?

Image source: Wikipedia