Ugadi - Telugu New Year

The World celebrates the new year on 1st January. But for one of the world’s most diverse countries, one new year isn’t enough. India is home to people from different religions and faiths, some even following their own calendars. Bihu, Baishakhi, Gudi Padwa, and Ugadi are just a few of the new years that we celebrate in India. Andhra Pradesh being one of the Telugu speaking states, Ugadi is a huge festival in the state. The festival marks the beginning of the new year as per the Hindu calendar. It usually falls during the month of April as per the Gregorian calendar. Just like any other new year festivities, Ugadi too is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state. The festivities start much in advance. On the day of Ugadi, beautiful rangolis called muggulu are prepared in every household. Interestingly, unlike other rangolis, this is prepared using rice flour and not colour. Many housing communities organize entertainment and cultural shows as a part of the festivities. Apart from this, a variety of food dishes are prepared including sweets and savouries. Ugadi festivities are incomplete without Ugadi Pachadi. A traditional drink that is prepared on this auspicious day. The drink has six distinct flavors - Sweet (Jaggery), Salty (Salt), Sour (Tamarind), Bitter (Neem), Tangy (Mango) & Spicy (Chilly). The drink is a symbol of life and how it is filled with different kinds of emotions and we need to learn to live with them. Mango leaves are also an important part of the festivities. Doors are decorated with mango leaves and Kalash is placed at the main entrance. Ugadi, like any other new year, is a festival of prosperity, growth, happiness and well being.