Ugadi festival in karnataka

Ugadi is an important festival in South India, especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. It marks the beginning of a new year and usually lasts until March or April in the Hindu calendar. This day is also known as Yugadi and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by people of all ages. Celebrations include special prayers, traditional meals and various cultural events. Ugadi is new beginnings and is said to bring good luck, prosperity and success.
In the traditional Hindu calendar, Ugadi falls on the first day of the first month of Chaitra. It usually occurs in March or April of the Gregorian calendar. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Punjab also celebrate New Year at this time of the year. The word 'Ugadi' is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yugadi'. The word Yugadi is born from the combination of two words Yuga (meaning or time) and Adi (meaning beginning). Hence, Ugadi or Jugadi literally means "the beginning of a new age or era".

Puranas are believed to have a long history with Ugadi. It is said that Brahma started the creation of the universe on the day of Ugadi. To keep track of time, he created days, weeks, months and years. Hence Ugadi is considered as the first day of creation of the universe. Due to these ancient beliefs and practices, the Ugadi festival plays a major role in people's lives. The fact that Ugadi is celebrated with equal fervor today shows its relevance even today.
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new astronomical cycle according to the solar calendar
On this day, the Northern Hemisphere receives maximum sunshine for 21 days starting from Ugadi Day. It marks the time when the Earth prepares for a new beginning with the energy of the Sun. From Ugadi the energetic period of the earth begins.
The festival is celebrated with great preparation. Preparation usually starts a few days in advance. People clean and wash their houses for this event. New clothes are bought for this day. People buy many extra items and get ready to celebrate Ugadi. They prepare special dishes to be cooked on that day.
Excitement and fun are the hallmarks of Ugadi festival. According to the Ugadi custom, on special days people wake up before sunrise and bathe with oil. On this day, idols of Gods and Goddesses are also bathed with oil.
Flowers and mango leaves decorate houses, temples, shops and especially entrances. On this day it is customary to make a rangoli or colorful flower design in front of the house.

Ugadi Food

On this day, family members gather together wearing new clothes for worship and prayers. People worship Sun God before eating bevu bela which is considered very important in Ugadi festival. People visit shrines to make contributions and seek gifts from Almighty God and start the new year with joy and positivity.
Special dishes are prepared on this occasion and enjoyed by the family. Friends and neighbors share sweets and other treats.
Panchang Shravanam or listening to almanac is an important part of the program. It is recited by the elders of the house or the priests of the temple. Learned experts and astrologers also make new year predictions and year predictions based on the moon sign on this day.