HYDERABAD: People from both the Telugu-speaking states as well Karnataka are racking their brains over when to celebrate Ugadi, the Telugu and Kannada New Year, as there is a difference of opinion among astrologers and seers over date playing out on TV channels and social media.
While the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s (TTD) panchangam (almanac) says Ugadi is on March 29 — the date on which the governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka have declared a public holiday — some pundits are of the view that it is actually on March 28.
According to astrologers who calculate planetary motions as per Poorva Ganitha Siddhantha, Ugadi falls on March 29. But, pundits who follow the Dhrug Ganitha methodology claim that it is on March 28. Both sides agree that Ugadi begins on the morning of March 28 and ends on the morning of March 29 but the difference of opinion rests in whether the first or second day should be celebrated.
Some 128 panchangakarthas (almanac writers), belonging to the two schools of astronomical thought, are now engaged in a fierce debate not only on TV channels but also on social media over when the “Hevalambi Nama Samvastaram” will begin.
Famous astrologer Ponnaluri Srinivasa Gargeya, who practices the Dhrug Ganitha methodology, said Ugadi falls on March 28. According to him, Amavasya will end on March 28 at 8.28 am. Immediately after that ChaitraShuddha Padyami of the new year, Hevalambi, will begin. Padyami will end on 5.45 am. of March 29. “When Padyami falls between two dawns, we should consider the first day as the festival as per Dharmasastras,” he remarked.
Pundits who follow the Poorva Ganitha Siddhantha say that as Padyami thithi (lunar day) ends on March 29 at 8 am, everyone should consider March 29 as Ugadi.
Noted pundit Bachampally Santhosh of the Srungeri Sharada Peetam said Ugadi should be celebrated on March 29 as specified by the TTD. But, Kanchipeetam astrologer Lakkavajjula Subramanya Swamy Siddhanthi wants Ugadi to be celebrated on March 28 as per Dhrug Siddhantha. The differences are causing confusion among public.
Noted astrologer Madhupala Shankara Sharma said the root of confusion goes back to 1957 when a uniform lunar calendar was introduced by the Calendar Reform Committee. The panel ignored minor differences in calculating auspicious timings of Hindu festivals in different regions. These differences are leading to fixing of different muhurthams for festivals, he said.