What is ugadi ?

The Kali Yuga (the present era) started in the year Pramadi, the month named Sravana, the fortnight named Bahula, and the day called Ashtami. According to the English calendar, this would be described as 20 February 3102 years before the advent of Christ. In order to bring out this aspect of the commencement of the new Yuga on 20 February 3102 B.C., our ancestors have been calling that day "the day of the beginning of a new era (Ugadi)". Since this was the commencing day of a new Yuga, it was called (Y)Ugadi.

When looked at from this angle, we should also learn a different aspect, although it is not very pleasant. This particular day, Ugadi, is also the day on which Krishna gave up his mortal body in a sacred place of pilgrimage called Prabahatsa, near Dvaraka.