Ugadi (Vedic New Year) - Viśvāvasu Samvatsara (Prosperity) Rituals

As the sacred wheel of time turns, we step into Viśvāvasu Samvatsara – a year blessed with prosperity, clarity, and momentum.

The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and ādi (beginning): “the beginning of a new age”. It falls on “Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami” or the first day of the bright half of the Vedic month of Chaitra.

This year it falls on March 29/30, 2025. For local timings download the align27 app.

🪐 On March 29th, Saturn moves into Pisces – the same day as a Solar Eclipse. On this day, six planets will be in Pisces, making it a very important time for change and reflection.

According to the vedic calendar, each year is named after a specific Samvatsara (A “Samvatsara” is a Sanskrit word for year) which is presided over by a particular deity. The Samvatsara is calculated based on the position of the moon and the sun in the sky. The cycle of Samvatsaras repeats every 60 years, with each year having a different name and a different ruling deity.

Viśvāvasu Samvatsara

In the traditional 60-year cycle of the Hindu calendar, each year, known as a Samvatsara, carries a unique name and significance. The year Viśvāvasu is the 39th in this cycle and corresponds to the period from March 29/30, 2025, to March 18/19, 2026.

Meaning of Viśvāvasu

Viśva (विश्व): Translates to “universal” or “all-encompassing”.
Vasu (वसु): Means “wealth”, “brilliance”, or “divine treasures”.

Together, Viśvāvasu signifies “Universal Wealth” or “All-Encompassing Prosperity”. This name suggests a period characterized by widespread abundance and well-being.

The Viśvāvasu year is believed to usher in a time of both material and spiritual prosperity. It encourages individuals to seek harmony in their personal lives and to contribute positively to society. The emphasis on universal wealth extends beyond material riches, highlighting the importance of spiritual wealth, knowledge, and communal harmony.

Wish you all a very Happy Ugadi 🙏🏽

Meaning of Viśvāvasu

1. Pre-Dawn Abhyanga Snanam (Oil Bath)

Start your day early, ideally before sunrise.

Apply sesame oil (til oil) with a pinch of turmeric to your body – this purifies and energizes.
Take a head bath to symbolically wash away past karmas and enter the new year renewed.

⠀“Cleanse the body. Clear the mind. Uplift the spirit.”

2. House Cleaning and Decoration

Clean and decorate your home – energy flows where freshness goes.
Draw rangoli (kolam) at the entrance – an offering to Lakshmi Devi and a symbol of auspiciousness.
Hang mango leaves and neem twigs on the doorway to invite good vibes and keep negativity away.

3. Altar Setup and Puja

Bathe your deities with love – water, milk, yoghurt, honey, and Ganga jal/rose water if available.
Light a ghee lamp and offer sandalwood paste, flowers, and fresh fruits.
Chant or listen to Ganesh Vandana and Sri Suktam.

⠀Let your altar be your runway – where prayers take off and blessings land. ✨

4. Ugadi Pachadi - The Divine Recipe

Prepare a symbolic dish that contains 6 tastes (shadruchulu) representing the different experiences of life:

Neem (bitter) – Mars
Jaggery (sweet) – Jupiter
Tamarind (sour) – Venus
Raw mango (tangy) – Mercury
Chili (spicy) – Sun
Salt (salty) – Moon

⠀Mix and eat with reverence – this teaches us to embrace life in all its flavors.

5. Panchanga Sravanam (Hearing the New Year's Astrological Forecast)

Listen to the Panchanga Sravanam for your region. The Cosmic Insights App shows you the navanayaka (planetary cabinet of the year) based on your region.

This is the day to check your Personal Insights for the year!

6. Guru Vandana and Elders’ Blessings

Seek blessings of your Guru, the Rishis, and your spiritual lineage.
Seek blessings from parents, grandparents, teachers, and elders

7. Dhaanam or Seva

If possible, offer food, clothes, or monetary support to those in need.
Even a simple act of kindness (like feeding birds or lighting a diya for someone) multiplies your punya (merit).

On Ugadi, meditate and set clear sankalpas (intentions). Use the powerful energies of the day to plant seeds of abundance, health, and inner peace.