According to the legend surrounding Ougadi, the Hindu deity of the universe, Brahma, created the entire universe on that day. It is also the day that the great protection deity Krishna left the earth.
Ougadi or Ugadi is a public holiday celebrated primarily by the Hindu Telugu and Kannada communities in late March or early April to mark the commencement of the Hindu new year. This year’s event will occur on March 22. It is primarily observed by Hindu communities in India and Mauritius to commemorate the birth of Brahma, the creator god, which signifies the start of a new era. Observers celebrate Ougadi with prayers, feasts, and grand cultural celebrations that require them to contemplate the past and make plans for the future.
According to the legend surrounding Ougadi, the Hindu deity of the universe, Brahma, created the entire universe on that day. It is also the day that the great protection deity Krishna left the earth. In Hindu mythology, Krishna’s death and Brahma’s birth mark the beginning of a new epoch, making this the Hindu new year.
Since its inception in 78 B.C., when the Hindu ‘Saka’ lunar calendar was created during India’s Shalivahana era, Ougadi has been a significant and historic occasion for Hindus. Middle Ages inscriptions and manuscripts mention Ougadi celebrations. Additionally, it is a public holiday in several regions of India as well as countries with substantial Hindu communities, such as Mauritius.
The word ‘Ougadi’ or ‘Ugadi’ is composed of two words: ‘Yuga,’ which means age, and ‘Adi,’ which means the commencement or beginning. The date dates back to the 12th century, when Indian astronomer Bhaskaracharya first calculated the position of the moon after the spring equinox to determine the Ougadi as the beginning of a new year. Due to its occurrence between late March and early April on the Western calendar, Ougadi is considered a spring celebration. Ougadi also occurs during the nine-day Hindu spring festival of Vasanta Navratri, which culminates in the celebration of Ram Navami.
On this day, people traditionally prepare feasts for their families, pray in temples, participate in cultural activities, and visit their neighbors. Several traditions are observed on this day, including bathing one’s head in coconut oil, known as “Abhyang,” and decorating one’s front door with mango leaves to symbolize purification and welcome prosperity. As a new year’s celebration, Ougadi emphasizes self-purification in preparation for a new day. It is a time for looking back on the past and planning for the future.
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The ‘Abhyang’ oil bath ritual is founded on the belief that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in oil and the Goddess Ganga resides in water; by undertaking the ceremony, you can receive the blessings of both deities.
The Hindus of Bali and Indonesia commemorate Ougadi under the name Nyepi on the same day.
Observers typically begin the day by consuming bitter neem leaves to cleanse the circulation and strengthen the body in preparation for the new year.
Mangoes are a significant symbol of Ougadi, which coincidentally coincides with the height of the mango harvesting season in India.
During Ougadi, the axis of the Earth is tilted such that the Northern Hemisphere receives the most sunlight.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 2 | Saturday |
| 2023 | March 22 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 9 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | March 30 | Sunday |
| 2026 | March 20 | Friday |
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