Yugadi is the first day of Chaitra and the Kannada new year, when the samvatsara takes its new name. The day begins with an oil bath; mango leaves and neem are tied over the door; and the first thing eaten is bevu-bella, neem flowers with jaggery, the bitter with the sweet. The new almanac is read out, and the meal is holige with mango rice.
The story
Yuga-adi is the beginning of an age: Brahma is said to have begun creation on this day. Spring has come, the neem is in flower and the first mangoes are on the tree.
Every Kannadiga knows the poem D. R. Bendre wrote for the day, sung on radio and television each year: ages and Yugadis go by, and Yugadi comes back, bringing new joy to the new year.
ಯುಗ ಯುಗಾದಿ ಕಳೆದರೂ ಯುಗಾದಿ ಮರಳಿ ಬರುತಿದೆ, ಹೊಸ ವರುಷಕೆ ಹೊಸ ಹರುಷವ ಹೊಸತು ಹೊಸತು ತರುತಿದೆ
Though ages and Yugadis pass, Yugadi comes again, bringing to the new year new joy, ever new
D. R. Bendre
How the day goes
- AbhyangaAn oil bath before sunrise, and new clothes.
- ToranaMango leaves and sprigs of neem over the door.
- Bevu-bellaEaten with a verse asking for a long life and a strong body.
- Panchanga shravanaThe reading of the new almanac at the temple.
- ObbattuHolige with ghee, mavinakayi chitranna and kosambari.
- Hosa todakuThe day after, when meat is cooked in many homes.
Why this date
Yugadi is the Pratipada of the bright half of Chaitra, on the day it is present at sunrise.
Yugadi in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday | |
| 2027 | Wednesday | |
| 2028 | Monday | |
| 2029 | Saturday | |
| 2030 | Wednesday | |
| 2031 | Monday |
More Kannada festivals
15 AprilSri Rama Navamiಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮ ನವಮಿ
22 MarchHoliಹೋಳಿ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
8 MayAkshaya Tritiyaಅಕ್ಷಯ ತೃತೀಯ
6 MarchMaha Shivaratriಮಹಾ ಶಿವರಾತ್ರಿ
20 AprilHanuma Jayantiಹನುಮ ಜಯಂತಿ
13 FebruaryRatha Saptamiರಥಸಪ್ತಮಿ
Where to see Yugadi
In Karnataka
- Chamundi Hills, MysuruKarnatakaThe first visit of the year to the goddess of the old kingdom.
- DharmasthalaKarnatakaThe almanac is read before Manjunatha.
- Mookambika Temple, KollurKarnatakaA coastal seat of the goddess, crowded on new year's day.
Across India
- SrisailamAndhra PradeshLakhs from north Karnataka walk through the forest to be there for Yugadi.
- TirumalaAndhra PradeshThe Ugadi Asthanam, with the almanac read before the Lord.
- MumbaiMaharashtraThe same morning is Gudi Padwa.