Shobhakruth Nama Samvatsara is a Hindu calendar year that begins on the day of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which usually falls in late March or early April. It is also known as Ugadi in some parts of India, which is the New Year's Day for people in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
The term "Shobhakruth" is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Shubha" meaning auspicious or good and "Kruth" meaning created or done. Therefore, Shubhakruth Nama Samvatsara is considered an auspicious year for new beginnings, growth, and prosperity.
According to Hindu astrology, each year is associated with a particular zodiac sign and a ruling planet. In the case of Shobhakruth Nama Samvatsara, the ruling planet is Mercury, and the zodiac sign is Aries. This combination is said to bring about positive changes in the areas of communication, commerce, and technology.
On the day of Ugadi or the beginning of Shobhakruth Nama Samvatsara, people perform various rituals and customs, such as decorating their homes with rangoli, preparing special dishes, and offering prayers to their deities. It is also a time for people to reflect on their past and set new goals for the future.
Overall, Shubhakruth Nama Samvatsara is considered an auspicious year for growth, prosperity, and new beginnings in Hindu culture.
About Ugadi
Ugadi is the New Year's Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. It is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which usually falls in March or April. The word "Ugadi" is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Yuga" meaning era, and "Adi" meaning beginning, indicating the beginning of a new era or a new year.
Ugadi is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across the southern states of India. People start preparing for the festival several days in advance by cleaning their homes, decorating them with flowers and rangoli, and buying new clothes. On the day of Ugadi, people wake up early in the morning, take a bath, and offer prayers to Lord Brahma, the Hindu God of creation.
One of the main rituals of Ugadi is the Panchanga Sravanam or the reading of the new year's almanac. The almanac contains predictions about the upcoming year in terms of astrological and agricultural aspects. People visit temples to listen to the Panchanga Sravanam and seek blessings for the coming year.
Another important aspect of Ugadi is the preparation of special dishes such as Ugadi Pachadi, a mixture of six tastes - sweet, sour, bitter, salty, tangy, and spicy, symbolizing the different experiences of life. It is believed that this mixture represents the different emotions and experiences that a person may encounter in the coming year.
During the festival, people also exchange greetings and gifts with their loved ones, including neem leaves, which have medicinal properties and are believed to be a symbol of good health and prosperity.
Overall, Ugadi is a festival that signifies the beginning of a new year, new hope, and new opportunities. It is a time for people to reflect on the past year and set new goals for the coming year.
