‘Ugadi’ comes from Sanskrit word ‘Yugadi’ –Yuga means era and Aadi marks the beginning. Together the word suggests ‘the beginning of a new era’. Ugadi marks the arrival of spring season (vasantha ritu) when the nature God is in all her splendour. It is traditionally known as Chaitra suddha padhyami. Every year this famous spring-time festival is celebrated in parts of South India (Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka) and Maharashtra and closely follows Holi. This year is no exception as Ugadi 2009 falls on March 27, which is 16 days after Holi.

Significance of Ugadi
Ugadi signifies the arrival of a Telugu and Kannada New Year – a new season, a new month and a new day with new hopes. It is believed that Lord Brahma, considered as the procreator of the World, started his creation process on the day of Ugadi. This festival is celebrated with as much gaiety and devotion as it was centuries ago. Even the great Mathematician, Bhaskaracharya acknowledged this day as one of the most auspicious days of a year.

Blossoming flowers and verdant paddy fields have become synonymous with Ugadi. The mildly hypnotic essence of jasmine flowers connects the heart of people with happiness and positive feeling. Ugadi also gives perfect reason to leave miseries and sadness behind and meet the challenges of life with renewed hopes and expectations.

May Ugadi 2009 bring you many happy and colourful moments in your life that can be carried forward till the next Ugadi. Happy Ugadi 2009!