| VEDA AGAMA SUDHA VOL.26 March 1999 Page 8 |
|
KID'S CORNER |
WHAT IS UGATHI? |
Some terms relating to Ugathi include: |
| The indian calendar year commences during the months of March and April instead of the traditional January 1 St. This is primarily because the Indian calendar is based on the movement of the moon. Specifically, the months are formed by the waxing and waning phases of the moon. It is celebrated in Andhra, Karnataka, and Maratha. | AMA VASYA — New
moon day. SUDDHA PAKSI-IA - Fortnight beginning with amavasya. BAHULA PAKSHA - Fortnight beginning with poornima. |
| Names of the 12-months in the
above calendar are: 1) Chaitra 2) Vaisakha 3) Jyeshta 4) Ashada 5) Sravana 6) Bhadraphadha 7) Aswija 8) Karthika 9) Agrahayana 10) Pausha 11) Magha 12) Phalguna |
On this special occasion, people pray and attend temples; prepare and eat special foods; give gifts such as jewelry or new clothes; and also read the panchangam. |