Ugadi Festival 2025: Guide to Telugu & Kannada New Year

Ugadi festival, also known as Yugadi, marks the New Year for people in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, as it signifies new beginnings, prosperity, and the arrival of spring.

In 2025, Ugadi falls on March 30 (Sunday), marking the first day of Chaitra month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival is observed with prayers, traditional food, cultural performances, and family gatherings.

Ugadi is not just about welcoming a new year; it is about embracing the past, celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future with optimism. This guide provides everything you need to know about Ugadi 2025, including:

Ugadi 2025 Date and Auspicious Timings
The Significance and History of Ugadi
How Ugadi is Celebrated in Different States
Ugadi Rituals and Traditions
Traditional Ugadi Dishes
Festive Events and Cultural Activities
Travel Destinations to Experience Grand Ugadi Celebrations

Let’s explore this beautiful festival in detail.

Ugadi 2025: Date and Auspicious Timings

Explore Festival Ugadi is observed on the first day of Chaitra month (Shukla Paksha, Pratipada Tithi), according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar.

Ugadi 2025 Date and Tithi Timings

Date: Sunday, March 30, 2025
Pratipada Tithi Begins: 2:45 AM on March 30, 2025
Pratipada Tithi Ends: 12:32 AM on March 31, 2025
Auspicious Puja Muhurat: 6:30 AM – 8:45 AM (Timing may vary based on location)

Festival Ugadi is also celebrated as:

Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra
Cheti Chand by the Sindhi community
Navreh in Kashmir

Hindus consider Ugadi as a highly auspicious day for starting new ventures, financial investments, and business dealings. Many people use this day to cleanse their homes, perform pujas, and seek blessings for prosperity.

The Significance and History of Ugadi

Why is Ugadi Celebrated?

Ugadi marks the beginning of a new year, and according to Hindu mythology, it is believed that:

Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, making it one of the most sacred days in Hindu culture.
Lord Vishnu incarnated as Matsya (the first avatar) on Ugadi, saving humanity and the sacred Vedas from destruction.
It signifies the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal, abundance, and the changing of seasons.

The name Ugadi comes from the Sanskrit words “Yuga” (age) and “Adi” (beginning), meaning “the beginning of a new age.”

Ugadi’s Agricultural Importance

Ugadi is also important for farmers, as it marks the end of the Rabi crop season and the beginning of the new agricultural year. Many farmers worship their land and crops on this day, seeking good rainfall and a prosperous harvest.

Astrological Significance

In Hindu astrology, Ugadi is considered the start of a new cosmic cycle. The festival aligns with the Chaitra Shukla Paksha, when the Sun enters Aries and the Moon enters Pisces, making it a powerful time for spiritual growth and transformation.

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How Ugadi is Celebrated in Different States

Ugadi is celebrated in various ways across different states, each adding its unique cultural touch to the festival.

1. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

People clean their homes, decorate their entrances with mango leaves, and create beautiful rangolis (muggulu).
Families gather for prayers, cultural performances, and feasting.

2. Karnataka

Ugadi is known as Yugadi in Karnataka.
Temples conduct special pujas, and devotees listen to the Panchanga Shravanam (astrological predictions for the new year).

3. Maharashtra (Gudi Padwa)

The festival is celebrated as Gudi Padwa, where people hoist the Gudi (victory flag) outside their homes.

4. Goa (Sanjay Padwa)

Goans celebrate a simplified version of Ugadi, offering prayers at temples and preparing festive foods.

5. Sindhi Community (Cheti Chand)

Sindhis celebrate Cheti Chand, marking the birth anniversary of Jhulelal Ji, their spiritual leader.
They observe prayers, feasts, and community gatherings.

Ugadi Rituals and Traditions

Ugadi is deeply rooted in Hindu traditions, with specific rituals performed to welcome the new year with purity and positivity.

1. Abhyanga Snana (Holy Bath)

Devotees wake up early and take a holy bath with sesame oil, as it is believed to purify the body and soul.

2. Decorating Homes with Mango Leaves and Rangoli

Homes are cleaned, painted, and decorated with fresh mango leaves, which symbolize growth and prosperity.
Rangolis (muggulu) made with rice flour and colors adorn the doorsteps.

3. Preparing and Eating Ugadi Pachadi

Ugadi Pachadi is a special dish that represents the six emotions of life:
- Neem leaves (bitter) – Difficulties and challenges
- Jaggery (sweet) – Happiness
- Raw mango (sour) – Surprises
- Tamarind (tangy) – Disgust
- Green chilies (spicy) – Anger
- Salt (salty) – Interest and excitement

This symbolizes the ups and downs of life, teaching people to embrace every experience with balance.

4. Listening to Panchanga Shravanam

Astrologers read the Panchanga (Hindu almanac), predicting health, finance, and prosperity for the year ahead.

Festive Foods Prepared on Ugadi

Ugadi is incomplete without delicious festive foods. Some must-try dishes include:

Ugadi Pachadi – A mix of six different flavors.
Puran Poli (Obbattu/Bobbattu) – A sweet flatbread stuffed with jaggery and dal.
Pulihora (Tamarind Rice) – A tangy rice dish popular in Andhra Pradesh.
Mango Rice – A seasonal dish made with raw mango and spices.
Payasam/Kheer – A sweet pudding made with rice, milk, and jaggery.

Best Places to Experience Ugadi in 2025

If you want to witness grand Ugadi celebrations, consider visiting:

Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh – Special pujas at Tirumala Temple.
Hyderabad, Telangana – Cultural events, music, and feasts.
Bangalore, Karnataka – Temple celebrations and Panchanga Shravanam.

Final Thoughts – Why You Should Celebrate Ugadi 2025

Ugadi is not just a festival, it is a celebration of new beginnings, gratitude, and spiritual growth. It teaches us to embrace life’s challenges and joys with equal acceptance.

How are you planning to celebrate Ugadi 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Ugadi Festival 2025: A Complete Guide to the Telugu and Kannada New Year