Panchanga Sravana on the day of Ugadi is very auspicious. It is said that it gives the results (phala) equivalent of taking bath in sacred river Ganges, blessings of Navagraha. Sun gives courage and glory, Moon gives status, Mars gives auspiciousness, Mercury gives intelligence, Jupiter gives knowledge, Venus gives comfort and happiness, Saturn removes sorrow and obstacles, Rahu gives popularity, and Kethu gives significance.
Panchangam means the Almanac that contains astronomical/astrological details mainly related to Thithi, Vaara, Nakshatra, Yoga, Karana together called as Panchaanga (Pancha + Anga) the five limbs or five elements that helps in the identification of various auspicious or inauspicious moments in electional astrology. Panchangam also indicates the forecasts for eclipses, weather, monsoon, transit of planets, implications to individuals based on their birth stars, zodiac signs, rasi phala and general trend with respect to economy, political scenario etc.
Panchanga (Almanac) involves lot of mathematical and geometrical calculations based on side real system, understanding of astronomical phenomena such as movements of heavenly bodies the Sun, Moon and other planets. Mainly Panchanga is based on Surya Siddhantha or Dhrugganitha. Panchangas are published by various authors/agencies in various regional languages based on different philosophies prevailing in Hindu religion. Traditionally people gather on Ugadi day to listen to the learned, the recitation of Panchanga and general forecast for the forthcoming year. In the present days of Television technology this type of gatherings have come down as people listen Panchanga Sravanam from a live telecast by various regional Television Channels. It is said and believed that Panchanga Sravanam (reading/listening to the Almanac) on Ugadi day gives auspicious results.
Thithescha sriyamapnothi varaadayushya vardhanam
Nakshathradharathe papam, yogadroganivaranam
Karanathkarya siddhisthu panchangaphalamutthamam
Kala Vithkarma Kruddhimaan Devathanugraham Labheth
Meaning: Thithi gives wealth, Vara enhances the longevity, Nakshatra removes the sins, Yoga cures the diseases, and Karana gives success in deeds. One who does the karma by knowing the above will have Divine blessings. That is why every day during Sandhya vandana (daily prayer) one is required to do Sankalpa where in, all the above five elements are recited.
An important component of Ugadi celebration is to go to the temple and listen to the year’s predictions. Usually the priest or an expert in astrology gives full details of how the year will be for people of each zodiac sign, and also predictions related to politics, marriages, jobs, promotions, natural calamities, wars, rains, crops, etc. Further, experts in astrology advise people to perform certain pujas(prayer services) to minimize and eliminate the negative energy from their lives. It is strongly believed that praying to God by going to the temples and conducting prayer services at home will help to have a a peaceful and happy year for everyone.
Pandits or elders of the family recite Panchanga (almanac) in the evening in temples or public gatherings .They foretell the events of the new year through reading the astrological aspects in the Panchanga. Panchanga sravanam is an important activity of the day. People understand what events can take place in the New Year as per the astrological predictions for the new year rendered through Panchanga recital. Thus, Ugadi heralds happiness, joy, prosperity and wellbeing for the people.
Must read Significance of Ugadi and ‘Ugadi Pachadi’
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