Ugadi is a festival that marks the start of Hindu New year. This festival is observed across India in various states. The terms Yugadi or Ugadi come from Sanskrit words “Yuga” age and “adi” beginning, indicating ‘the start of a new age’. The first day of the month of Chaitra usually falls in March or April in the Gregorian calendar. 

As per Hindu mythology, it was on this day that Lord Brahma created the universe. He then went on to create days, weeks, months, and years. So, Ugadi is believed to be the first day of the creation of the universe. On this day Lord Brahma is prayed for creating the world. 

There is great astrological significance to this festival.  Panchangam is created and on this day a priest or learned person reads the panchanga which has information about good and bad days in the year, the future of the country, and individuals based on the “Panchanga” and much more. Panchanga in Sanskrit means “Pancha” Five,  “Anga” Parts.  The five major parts are Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana.   According to Panchanga or the lunisolar calendar, Ugadi initiates a new astronomical cycle.  The Earth is tilted on its axis and hence, this tilt allows the northern hemisphere to get the maximum amount of sunlight.  This period lasts for over 21 days.  Astrologically this period is believed to re-energize the earth and marks a new beginning for nature and its cycle.  It marks the beginning of the spring season and thus symbolizes new life, new hopes, and aspirations.  On this day Ugadi Pachadi is prepared with its blend of six flavors, it symbolizes all aspects of life in the upcoming year.

Samvatsara:

A year is that which indicates the nature of the next few months along with the nature of the individual during that period. The term “samvatsara” is a Sanskrit word for ‘year’, it means a period of one sidereal year when the Sun enters the sign of Aries.  The Hindu calendar has 60 years which consists of one cycle from “Prabhava to Kshaya”.  The year begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipat during April every year. The 60 samvatsaras(years) repeat in a cycle of 12 years.  The two planets that signify the year are Jupiter and Saturn.  Jupiter takes one year to complete one rasi and 12 years to complete all the zodiac signs. Saturn takes approximately 30 years to complete the cycle of 12 zodiac signs.  The yuga begins when Jupiter and Saturn are at 0 degrees of Mesha. Therefore, every 60 years, these major planets conjunction at Mesha Rasi significantly influences the individuals and the year also.

This year the name of the Ugadi is Sri Krodhi nama Samvatsara Ugadi. This is the 38^th year in the 60-year Vedic year sequence.  Krodhi is a Sanskrit word that means angry or evil lacking self-control. 

 

Nava Nayakas(Planetary cabinet):

To make predictions for the new year (nutana varsha), many techniques are used.  In that process, planetary position and governance in the new year are very important.  For Shri Krodhi Nama Samvatsara the Nava Nayakas are as below:

Every year the planets rule certain positions in the cabinet.  The yearly results will be based on this planetary rulership. 

·       Mars (Kuja): King (Raja), Sasyadhipati (Agriculture) and Neerasadhipati (diseases) 

• Saturn (Shani): Minister 
• Venus (Shukra): Senadhipathi (Commander-in-Chief), Meghadhipathi (Clouds) and Arghyadhipati (Water) 
• Sun (Ravi): Dhaanyadhipathi (Cereals and Grains) 
• Jupiter (guru): Rasaadhipati (beverages, defense etc) 
• Moon (Chandra) does not have a portfolio
• Mercury (Budha) does not have a portfolio

Hence, naturally malefic Mars gets 3 portfolios, Sun gets 1 and Saturn gets 1 while natural benefics Venus gets 3 and Jupiter gets 1.  Hence, malefics get more control.

Planetary placement on Ugadi day:

On Ugadi day during the sunrise, the lagna is Pisces with the Sun, Moon, Rahu, Venus also in the same Rasi.  The new year begins right after the Total Solar eclipse of April 8^th, 2024.  The King Mars and Minister Saturn are very close in Kumbha Rasi, forming a dangerous combination in Kumbha rasi.  Ketu in Virgo and Jupiter, Mercury in Mesha.

With this planetary combination, the overall mood will be aggressive and everyone will not be in forgiving mode and will want to attack their enemies.  These combinations make natural and man-made calamities.

 General effects this year at the Mundane level are:

·          Scams

·          terrorist activities

·          fire accidents

·          water diseases

·          earthquakes 

·          digital crimes

·          war like situation

·          Politicians may get into some legal issues

·          There will be the misuse of political power

·          Drought-like situations may happen in a few places. 

·          Health of elderly prominent person may be delicate

·          Youngsters will get hooked on to drugs and other such bad pleasures

·          Extreme weather conditions will be there in all the seasons.

The effect of these planetary combinations at personal level will be:

·       Sudden change in personality

·       Illogical decisions that will cost heavily.

·       By the time one realizes a great opportunity round the corner, it will be

         accompanied by a major pitfall as well.

·       One will be very assertive and aggressive

·       One needs to be very careful of once emotions and thoughts

Brief Yearly predictions for all Rashis:

In a nutshell, four parameters are looked into for yearly predictions for each rasi.  They are

Adayam means Income or Gains

Vyayam means Losses

Rajapujyam means Honor

Avamanam means Dishonour

Adaya Vyayam is for 14 points. A bigger number in Adayam (income) and fewer points in Vayayam is considered good for each Rasi 

Rajapujyam and Avamanam are for 7 points. The bigger the number in Rajapujyam (honor) and fewer points in Avamanam (dishonor) is considered good for each Rasi.

Adayam and Vyayam table for all Rasis:

Rasi	Adayam (Income)	Vyayam (Loss)
Mesha	8	14
Vrishabha	2	8
Mithuna	5	5
Karkataka	14	2
Simha	2	14
Kanya	5	5
Tula	2	8
Vrischika	8	14
Dhanus	11	5
Makara	14	14
Kumbha	14	14
Meena	11	5

Rajapujyam and Avamanam for all Rasis:

Rasi	Rajapujyam (Honor)	Vyayam (Loss)
Mesha	4	3
Vrishabha	7	3
Mithuna	3	6
Karkataka	6	6
Simha	2	2
Kanya	5	2
Tula	1	5
Vrischika	4	5
Dhanus	7	5
Makara	3	1
Kumbha	6	1
Meena	2	4