Ugadi, also known as Yugadi, is the traditional New Year festival celebrated in the southern states of India, particularly Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and parts of Maharashtra. The word Ugadi comes from the Sanskrit words “yuga” (age) and “adi” (beginning), meaning the start of a new era. It usually falls in March or April, marking the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar and the arrival of spring. The festival is a time for new beginnings, symbolizing hope, growth, and prosperity. People clean and decorate their homes, draw colorful rangoli designs, and wear new clothes. A special dish called Ugadi Pachadi is prepared, made from six ingredients—tamarind, jaggery, neem flowers, salt, green chili, and raw mango—each representing different emotions of life such as happiness, sadness, anger, and surprise, reminding people to embrace all experiences with balance. Ugadi is also a time for family gatherings, cultural performances, and prayers for a prosperous year ahead.