Ugadi marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year celebrated by people who hail from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The date often coincides with Gudi Padwa, the New Year day celebrated in Maharashtra but this year, owing to a minute difference in the calendar, the festival is being celebrated today.


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The day marks the beginning of the Chaitra month in the Hindu calendar.


Dressed in their best fineries, men, women and children decorate their homes and indulge in grand festivities. Family members, friends and neighbours get together to celebrate by greeting each other and exchanging sweets and prasadam.


People also visit temples to offer their prayers to the almighty and seek blessings on the auspicious occasion.


One of the most important rather significant preparations on this day is the Ugadi Pachchadi (made of jaggery, raw mango and neem leaves/ flowers) that tastes sweet, sour and bitter. This recipe is customarily prepared at homes to remind people that they need to embrace agony and ecstasy with grace because life is a blend of both joyful and sad moments.


Here’s wishing one and all a very Happy Ugadi.