Ugadi

The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (era) and ādi (beginning): "the beginning of a new era." The Telugu people use the term Ugadi (ఉగాది), and the Kannadigas use the term Yugadi (ಯುಗಾದಿ) for this festival. == Practices ==

The Kannada and Telugu communities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast are required. The day begins early with ritual showers, rubbing the body with perfumed oil, followed by prayers. According to Vasudha Narayanan, a professor of religion at the University of Florida: This festive Hindu food is made from tamarind paste (sour), neem flowers (bitter), brown sugar or sweet jaggery (sweet), table salt (salty), green chili (spicy), and raw mango (astringent). It is a symbolic reminder of complex phases of life one should reasonably expect in the new year. In Karnataka, foods such as Holige or Obattu and mango pickles are made. In addition, a speciality of Yugadi in Karnataka is to create "bevu bella" a mixture of neem and jaggery, to signify both the sweet and the bitter, or the sihi-kahi(ಸಿಹಿ-ಕಹಿ). This symbolizes life's own experiences with a bit of bitterness and a hint of sweetness. ==Related festivals==

Maharashtran Hindus refer to the festival, observed on the same day, as Gudhi Padwa (). The Sindhis celebrate the same day as Cheti Chand, which is the beginning of their calendar year. Manipuris also celebrate their New Year as Sajibu Nongma Panba on the same day. The Hindus of Bali in Indonesia also celebrate their new year on the same day as Nyepi. == See also ==