Ugadi (Telugu New Year)
For the Telugu people of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, Ugadi signifies the new year. It comes from the Sanskrit words Yuga - age and Adi - Beginning. Thus, it means the beginning of a new era. Ugadi is observed in Chaitra month.

As per the Gregorian calendar, it occurs in March or April. The festival is also celebrated in Maharashtra under the name, Gudi Padwa. People wear new clothes, prepare many delicacies, worship at the temple, and decorate their houses with rangoli and flowers.

History of Ugadi
Hindu mythology says that Brahma began creating the universe on this day, which makes it very auspicious. Later, he started creating days, weeks, months, and years in order to keep track of the passage of time. So, the belief is that Ugadi is the first day of the universe's creation.
According to Hindu Scriptures, one of the many names of Vishnu is Yugadikrit which means ‘the creator of yugas (ages)’. So, on this day, people worship Vishnu seeking his blessings for peace and prosperity. Goddess Durga’s nine forms are also worshipped during Ugadi.

Why is Ugadi Celebrated?
There is an immense significance to celebrating Ugadi. It signifies a fresh start in life for us to achieve success in everything we do. Historical records and astrological calculations claim that Krishna’s nirvana began in the early hours of a fortnight of Chaitra month. This marked the beginning of the Kali-yuga, which is the current yuga. On this day, the spring season begins, bringing new beginnings and hopes for the future.

It is also an occasion for expressing gratitude to Mother Nature for her bounty. People celebrate Ugadi with their near and dear, and there is much rejoicing.

By celebrating the festival, people strive to overcome past sorrows and failures and welcome happiness and success in the year ahead.

When Is Ugadi Festival 2023?
Ugadi is celebrated on Shukla paksha (waxing lunar fortnight) of Chaitra month. This year, it will fall on March 22nd, 2023, marking the beginning of Shobhakruthu nama samvatsara, which means a year filled with good fortune and good deeds. ‘Shobha’ denotes good or auspicious doings, so ‘Shobhakruthu’ means doing good deeds.

People celebrate Ugadi with fervor and joy. They wake up in the morning before sunrise. They have an oil bath, which is called Abhyanga snana. Then they bathe the idols of gods and goddesses while chanting Mantras. Homes and offices are decorated with flowers and mango leaves. The women draw beautiful rangolis, and everyone wears new clothes and worships the Sun god, hoping for a happy and successful new year.

A special dish is made on this day. It is called ‘Ugadi Pachadi’ and includes 6 different flavors - neem leaves, tamarind, chili, salt, jaggery, and raw mango. The dish is made by mixing all these. Its meaning is that life is a mix of different flavors –bitter, sweet, sour, salty, tangy, and spicy.
· Neem leaves – Their bitter taste symbolizes the difficulties in life.
· Unripe or raw mango – Their tangy flavor represents the surprises in our life.
· Tamarind - Gives a sour taste representing life’s challenges.
· Chilli – Their spicy flavor signifies anger.
· Jaggery – Its sweetness symbolizes happy moments.
· Salt – It signifies exciting moments.

In Karnataka, this pachadi goes by the name of ‘Bevu Bella’(Bevu - Bitterness, Bella - Sweetness). Other Ugadi dishes include Pulihora and Bobbatlu.

People also listen to the Panchangam, which is a ritual on Ugadi. Priests or astrologers read it and predict what will happen in the new year based on the person’s moon sign.

Ugadi Panchagam
No specific god or goddess is worshipped on Ugadi. But people assemble in one place to listen to the Ugadi Panchangam. This is called Panchang Shravanam, and it resembles a social function at which older people, priests, or astrologers recite the annual forecast of people based on their zodiac signs or Janam Rashi (moon signs).