Ugadi is an important traditional festival in Karnataka that marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is usually celebrated in March or April with great devotion and joy. On this day, people clean their homes, decorate entrances with fresh mango leaves and colorful rangoli, and wear new clothes. Special prayers are offered for health, prosperity, and happiness in the coming year. A unique part of Ugadi celebrations is the preparation of Ugadi Pachadi (Bevu-Bella), made with neem flowers, jaggery, raw mango, tamarind, and pepper, symbolizing the different emotions of life such as happiness, sorrow, anger, and surprise. Panchanga Shravanam, the reading of the new year’s almanac, is also an important ritual, making Ugadi a meaningful and culturally rich festival in Karnataka.
