Published 11:12 IST, April 6th 2019
It is Ugadi, Gudi Padwa and Navreh today! Politicians, spiritual leaders, Bollywood celebrities lead the celebrations
April 6 sees India observing Ugadi (Yugadi), Gudi Padwa and Navreh - the New Year's Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka; Marathi and Konkani Hindus in Maharashtra and Goa; and for Kashmiri Pandits, respectively
April 6 sees India observing Ugadi (Yugadi), Gudi Padwa and Navreh - the New Year's Day for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka; Marathi and Konkani Hindus in Maharashtra and Goa; and for Kashmiri Pandits, respectively. An important and historic day for Hindus, it is indicated by the new moon of the month of 'Chaitra.' The Twitterati have flooded feeds with messages of love and prosperity to mark the auspicious new year of Telugus, Konkani and Marathi Hindus.
The President has sent in his wishes:
Right from actors and politicians, a lot of them posted their wishes:
In between their rallies and campaigns ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to send his greetings, as did senior ministers in his government, and so did Opposition leaders such as Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and others:
David Frawley, a Padma Bhushan recipient who has written several books on Yoga and Ayurveda, also cited some history behind the festival:
Meanwhile, Sudarsan Pattnaik, famed sand-artist and Padma Shri awardee, also paid his tribute to the festival in Odhisa:
Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, head of 'The Art of Living' Foundation, also tweeted:
On this day, as part of the celebrations, people in Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra partake in drawing rangoli-like colourful patterns, mango leaf decorations, exchange of gifts, and giving charity to poor. With its presence in medieval texts and inscriptions that record major charitable donations to Hindu temples, the day essentially conveys the message to embrace all the new experiences in the new year. While celebrating Navreh, people look at a bowl of rice in the morning as it symbolises riches, fertility and an abundant future.
Updated 19:06 IST, April 6th 2019