Ugadi 2025 in India

Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival symbolizes new beginnings and is celebrated with special prayers, feasts, and the preparation of Ugadi Pachadi, a dish reflecting life's varied emotions.

Ugadi: A Public Holiday?

Ugadi is a public holiday in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, where schools, offices, and businesses remain closed for celebrations. In other parts of India, it is not observed as a public holiday.

Ugadi

Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, marks the beginning of the New Year as per the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The word "Ugadi" is derived from two Sanskrit words, "Yuga" meaning age and "Adi" meaning beginning, symbolizing the start of a new era. The festival is believed to have originated during the time of the great Indian mathematician Bhaskaracharya, who introduced the concept of the lunisolar calendar. It is also linked to Hindu mythology, where it is said that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this day. Ugadi is primarily celebrated in the southern states of India, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, as a time of renewal and optimism.

Ugadi Celebration in India

Ugadi is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in South India. People begin the day by cleaning their homes and decorating the entrances with fresh mango leaves and colorful rangolis. Special prayers are offered to seek blessings for health, prosperity, and happiness in the new year.

A unique highlight of Ugadi is the preparation of Ugadi Pachadi, a traditional dish made with six ingredients: tamarind, jaggery, raw mango, neem flowers, salt, and green chili, representing the varied experiences of life, including happiness, sorrow, anger, and surprise. Families also prepare festive meals with traditional dishes and exchange sweets with friends and neighbors.

In Karnataka, the festival is marked by cultural events and processions, while in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it is often accompanied by recitation of the Panchanga (the Hindu almanac), which provides insights into the year ahead.

Ugadi holds immense significance as it symbolizes new beginnings, encouraging people to leave behind past hardships and embrace the future with hope and positivity. It is a time for self-reflection, family bonding, and cultural celebration. Beyond its rituals, Ugadi reminds people of the importance of resilience, gratitude, and balance in life, making it a cherished festival in South India.

Ugadi Observances