Ugadi 2026 Importance – Telugu and Kannada New Year 2026 - Ugadi Panduga in Andhra Pradesh – Telangana and Karnataka
Ugadi Panduga date based on Hindu calendar in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. Ugadi is the New Year (Lunar New Year) for Telugu and Kannada speaking people and it ushers in the spring season. Ugadi 2026 date is March 19, 2026. Paraabhava Nama Samvatsara begins on March 19, 2026. In USA, Canada and UK, it is marked on March 19, 2026. In Australia, Malaysia and Singapore it is on March 20. Ugadi (yuga and adi) means beginning of an astronomical cycle.
First Month of the Year
Ugadi is also the first day of Chaitra, the first month of the traditional Hindu calendar followed in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Ugadi is also known as Chandramana Ugadi or Chandramana Varsha Thodaku or Vatsara Arambha.Parabhava Nama Samvatsara begins from March 19, 2026.
Shalivahana Saka year - 1948 begins on March 19, 2026.
Ugadi has its derivation from the word ‘Yugadi’ which consists of two terms ‘Yuga’ and ‘adi,’ which respectively means ‘cycle of time’ and ‘beginning’.
Ugadi has its derivation from the word ‘Yugadi’ which consists of two terms ‘Yuga’ and ‘adi,’ which respectively means ‘cycle of time’ and ‘beginning’.
Rituals on Ugadi
For the Telugu and Kannada speaking people, Ugadi day begins with an extensive oil bath. Rangolis or Kolams are drawn in front of homes and doors and windows are decorated with a 'toran' - mango leaves strung together. Then, it is time for the preparation of the famous ‘Ugadi Pachadi’ in Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka, it is the ‘Bevu Bella.’
A major event on the day is “Panchanga Sravanam” – predictions for the year. It is organized at temples and by cultural and social organizations.
Ugadi Pachadi
Ugadi Pachadi which is distributed on the day is a unique dish with a mixture of six tastes ranging from sweet to bitter. It comprises of jaggery, raw mango, tamarind, neem flowers, salt and green chilli. This is the first dish that people have on Ugadi day.
Ugadi Pachadi has an important symbolic meaning that life brings different experiences ranging from sweet to bitter. Therefore each individual should learn to take the different experiences in one's stride and move ahead.
Instead of the Ugadi Pachadi, in some places people serve jaggery mixed with neem leaves. The bitter taste of neem leaves and the sweet of jaggery symbolize joy and sorrow in life. This is more popular with Kannadigas.
Ugadi and Spring Season
Ugadi marks the beginning of spring or the Vasant Ritu. Farmers wait for the first showers after the New Year to plough and begin the next cycle of farming. The festival celebrates nature’s regeneration. All trees begin to sprout tender leaves. The markets are flooded with different types of fruits. And most importantly Neem trees begin to blossom.New Ventures on Ugadi
Ugadi is also considered to be the ideal time to start new ventures. House warming, starting of construction of new houses, important documents are signed, purchases are made on the day. The day symbolizes hope. A day to start afresh. To forget all the bad of the previous year.Why Neem Leaves Are Eaten On Ugadi?
Man is subject to all kinds of hardships and misfortunes. To remind ourselves of this, we eat the bitter flowers of the neem on Ugadi - that is on the very first day of the year we accept the bitterness of life. During the Pongal ceremony, which is celebrated almost towards the close of the year, we have sugarcane to chew. If we have only sweetness in the beginning we may have to experience bitterness towards the end. We must not have any aversion for the bitter but welcome it as the medicine administered by Mother Nature or by dharma. If we do so, in due course, we will learn to regard any experience, even if it were unpleasant, as a sweet one. (As told by Sage of Kanchi).
Ugadi Festival in Tirupati Balaji Temple
Koil Alwar Thirumanjanam, Ugadi Asthanam, Panchanga Sravanam are some of the important rituals associated with Ugadi at
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