The word Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, finds its origin in the combination of two Sanskrit words, “Yuga” and “Adi”. In Sanskrit, yuga means age, and adi translates to mean beginning; together, they form yugadi or a “new beginning”. 

The significance of Ugadi festival is also connected to the legend that believes that Yugadi refers to the age we are living in today, also known as the Kaliyuga, which began after Lord Krishna left the world. Having been described by Maharshi Vedavyasa as Yesmin Krishno divamvyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam, Ugadi Festival is celebrated after the first new moon and on the sunrise after the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to North according to the luni-solar calendar in the first half of the Chaitra month.

According to ancient lore, the universe was created by Lord Brahma on the same day as that of Ugadi. Lord Brahma introduced days, weeks, months and years in order to keep track of the time. Hence, it is believed that Ugadi marks the beginning or the first day of the universe. 

When it comes to Hindu scriptures, Yugaadikrit was one of the many names of the Lord Vishnu, which means, the creator of ages or Yuga. Therefore, Kannadigas as well as Telugu folks tend to worship Lord Vishnu and seek blessings from the almighty for happiness and prosperity in their lives.

The importance of Ugadi Festival is quite notable as it marks the beginning of the New Year for those living between the Kaveri River and Vindhyas as they follow the lunar calendar of South India. The calendar dates back to the Shalivahana era which is supposed to have been built by the great legend Shalivahana. The king Shalivahana was also referred to as Gautamiputra Satakarni is responsible for initiating the era of Shalivahana.

Moreover, this festival coincides with the onset of spring, which also represents the rejuvenation of nature and brings a new cycle or environment. Nature is said to have awakened from its winter sleep and begins to form a new life and vitality around. Ugadi celebrates the blooming of flowers, lush greenery, and hope for abundant harvests. 

Ugadi is a festival of new beginnings in a lot of  ways. Hence, it is celebrated traditionally by performing rituals, prayers, and feasting. It is not only a time for celebration, but also the  time of renewal and rejuvenation. People put sand on their past deeds, their shortcomings and transform towards a virtuous life in the coming year. It is a time to let go of negativity and start one’s life with positivity.

On Ugadi, people wake up before the break of dawn and start their day with a head bath, get dressed in new, fresh clothes, and later decorate the doors of their houses with fresh mango leaves. The significance of tying mango leaves relates to a legend. It is said that Kartik (or Subramanya or Kumara Swamy) and Ganesha, the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi, were very fond of mangoes. As the legend goes, Kartik exhorted people to tie green mango leaves to the doorway, signifying a good crop and general well-being. The fresh mango leaves on the doorway symbolise a good yield for the farmers. As a ritual, people purify their houses and the surrounding environment with fresh cow dung which is considered pious as per Hindu customs. Another commonly practised Ugadi ritual is Panchanga Sravanam. According to this festival ritual, a pundit is called to prepare the yearly forecast of each member of the house. This ritual is performed to predict the future on the day of Ugadi. Kavi Sammelanam is another major activity for the day, where people engage themselves in literary discussions and recite poems.

An opulent palatable range of vegetarian meals is prepared as a part of the customs of Ugadi. 

Preparing Ugadipachadi, a special dish, is a compulsory Ugadi ritual. This special dish is prepared with ingredients like jaggery(sweet), salt (salty), tamarind (sour) , neem flowers (bitter), raw mango (tangy) and last but not the least, chilli powder (spicy). It signifies that life is a mixture of happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear and surprise as we start the new year. 

Although everybody celebrates Ugadi the way mentioned above,  there are some rituals which are distinct to every state. Before taking a bath in the morning, the people of Andhra Pradesh apply sesame oil on their body and head, only after which they visit temples to seek the blessings of God. As a part of a Ugadi ritual in Karnataka, people make garlands of Jasmine and offer them to God. They place coconuts on the Kalash beside the doors as a symbol of inviting peace into their homes. 

With every street bustling with exhilaration and cheer, we see men and women dressed in adorned in a surplus of meticulously crafted and created traditional wear. 

Women in different stages of their lives clad themselves in attire that signifies that every stage reflects cultural heritage and tradition. Young girls, also known as pilla puvvulu in Telugu, wear colourful pattu langa vonis, Pattu Langas are traditional silk skirts paired with matching vonis or blouses adorned with intricate embroidery or zari work. These vibrant outfits are a symbol of youthfulness and innocence, reflecting the joy and exuberance of the festival.

Married women, also called soumya vivahita sthrees, typically opt for elegant sarees like the pattu saree or kanchipuram pattu saree, usually handcrafted from luxurious silk fabrics. These sarees are handcrafted with elaborate zari work, intricate motifs, and rich borders, symbolising marital bliss, prosperity, and the fulfilment of familial duties. 

Elderly women, known as pattu vadinaalu, often prefer comfortable yet elegant attire such as the pattu pavadai, which is a silk skirt paired with a matching blouse but no dupatta or scarf, or the dhavani, a traditional silk saree worn without a blouse. These sarees are typically adorned with subtle designs and motifs, reflecting the wisdom, grace, and dignity of maturity.

During Ugadi, men also dress in attire that reflects their cultural heritage and traditions, embodying elegance, grace, and a sense of celebration.

Young boys, known as kutumbha pillaalu, often wear traditional attire such as the pattu pancha or veshti. These are lustrous silk dhotis paired with matching shirts or kurtas. These outfits are adorned with intricate patterns and embroidery that celebrate their zeal and simplicity in a festive way. 

Married men, known as vivaaha pandugalu, typically opt for more formal attire such as the pattu veshti which is a silk dhoti paired with a matching pancha (shirt) or kurta. These garments are often embellished with subtle designs and motifs, reflecting the dignity, responsibility, and prosperity associated with married life. Married men also adorn themselves with traditional accessories such as the angavastram, a silk shawl worn over the shoulders.

Elderly men, known as pattu vadulu, prefer comfortable yet dignified attire such as the dhoti kurta or panche kurta, which are traditional ensembles made from cotton or silk fabric. 

The making of the textiles used for clothing during Ugadi is a revered craft in Telugu culture. It often involves skilled artisans who employ traditional techniques that have survived through generations. In regions like Dharmavaram in Andhra Pradesh or Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, artisans meticulously craft each garment, paying close attention to detail and quality. Fine silk or cotton yarns, natural dyes, and intricate weaving patterns ensure that each piece is a vivid and rich testament to the prosperous cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the Telugu people.