Ugadi (also known as Yugadi), is a major festival in Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated as the New Year's Day, as per the Hindu calendar. It is observed in these regions on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra. Most house entrances are decorated with colorful Rangoli patterns because it’s believed that the new year will be as bright and colorful like the various colors of Rangoli.
Ugadi is also believed to be the day when Lord Brahma created the universe. He then went on to create days, weeks, months, and years. So, Ugadi is believed to be the first day of the creation of the universe.The Kannada people mainly worship Lord Ganesha, Mata Parvati, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
Special delicacies are prepared to celebrate the occasion, including Ugadi pachadi. Pachadi is a special beverage prepared mostly during this festival. It is made with raw mangoes, tamarind juice, neem flower, jaggery, and a few spices. This mixture has six different tastes; sweet, sour, salt, pungence, spice/heat and bitter. It signifies that life is a mixture of happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, fear and surprise. Sweet taste comes from jaggery & it symbolizes happiness.
