Ugadi Festival: A Grand Beginning to the New Year for Telugu People

NEWS CHARIOT:-Ugadi, one of the most significant festivals celebrated by Hindus, marks the beginning of the new year. It is the first festival of the year, celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm, especially by Telugu people. According to the Hindu calendar, Ugadi is observed on the first day of Chaitra Suddha Padyami, which usually falls in March or April.

Ugadi is believed to be the day when the process of creation began. On this auspicious day, people wake up early before dawn, take an oil bath using sesame oil, and wear clean, traditional clothes. The entrances of homes are decorated with mango leaf toran and rangoli to signify prosperity and happiness.

The highlight of the festival is the preparation and consumption of Ugadi Pachadi, a unique dish that blends six tastes — sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty, and tangy. This special dish symbolizes the different emotions experienced in life, reminding people to embrace all aspects of life with equanimity. Ugadi Pachadi is also said to have medicinal benefits, making it a significant part of the festival.

A common question among devotees is which deity to worship on Ugadi. Experts suggest that offering prayers to Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, or Lord Jagannatha on this day yields fruitful results. Devotees perform special poojas and offer Ugadi Pachadi as Naivedyam (sacred offering) to the deities.

Ugadi also marks the onset of summer. As part of the festival’s tradition, setting up chalivendram (water stalls) to provide drinking water is considered a noble act. Additionally, donating umbrellas, slippers, and essential items to the needy on this day is believed to bring good fortune.

Ugadi is not just a celebration but a reflection of life’s various experiences and a reminder to welcome the new year with positivity and devotion. As families gather to celebrate and pray for prosperity, the festival strengthens the bond between tradition and culture, making Ugadi a cherished occasion in every Telugu household.