Ugadi is the festival of
the first day of the new
religious year according
to the Hindu Chandramana
(Lunar) calendar. In the
Telugu and Karnataka
communities, Ugadi is
celebrated on the first
day of month of Chaitra
(March-April). The
origin of the name Ugadi
has been derived from
the Sanskrit words "Yuga
Adi" (yuga + adi meaning
"beginning of a new
age"). It is believed
that Brahma started
creation on this day,
the Chaitra suddha
padhyami or the Ugadi
day. Symbolically, Ugadi
signifies a giving of
thanks for bounteous
crops and the beginning
of a new era. It marks
the onset of spring, of
new life, and new
possibilities.
