Ugadi subhakamkshalu!

Ugadi marks the beginning of the New Year. This day is considered quite auspicious as new ventures are begun and people pray for prosperity of their business. 

As per the calendars followed in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, Chaitra maasam in 2012 begins on March 23 and ends on April 21, 2013. Chaitra month 2012 is the first month in Sri Nandana nama Samvatsaram (2012 -2013) Hindu year.
The word Ugadi means YUGAADI, yuga- era and aadi- begining.
According to Hinduism, on the first day of Chaitra month Lord Brahma started the creation. Sage Veda Vyasa described Ugadi day as the starting of Kaliyuga.
Ugadi, Gudhi Padwa, and Cheti Chand are the festivals celebrated as Telugu and Kannada New Year, Marathi New Year, and Sindhi New Year respectively.

“Chaitramasi jagadbrahma sasarju prathamehaani
Shukla paksha samagranthu thadaa suryodaye sathi
Pravarthayaa maasa thatha kaalasya gananaamapi
Grahannaagaa nruthoonmaa saaswathsaraa nwathsaraadhipaan”

According to this Sloka of ‘Chaturvarga Chintamani, Lord Brahma created the universe on the first day of Shukla paksha in the Hindu month Chaitra maasam. He also gradually included planets, stars, ruthu (seasons) and rains. Chaitra month is considered as very auspicious masam in which the creation of the universe has started.
In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on Ugadhi day Ugadi Pachadi is prepared and distributed among the people. 

It symbolizes six tastes or flavors of life
Pacchadi ,a dish which has raw mango pieces(tanginess), neem flowers(bitterness), new tamarind pulp(sourness), ripe banana and jaggery made from new sugar cane crop(sweetness), chilli powder(spice or heat) and a pinch of salt(saltines). This dish has 6 different types of tastes (shadruchulu) which means life is a mixture of various experiences happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear and disgust. Eating it signifies that to treat every experience alike, accept the fact and live the moment. Believe whatever happens is for one’s own good and live happily.
Significance of Ugadi Pachchadi’s 6 tastes and ingredients
Neem flowers – bitterness signifies sadness
Jaggery – sweetness symbolizes happiness
Pepper – hot signifies anger
Salt – saltiness signifies fear
Tamarind – sourness symbolizes disgust
Mango – tang symbolizes surprise
Panchanga Shravanam is the most observed ritual in Telugu and Kannada families. Kavi Sammelanam or poetry recitation is a typical Telugu Ugadi feature
Happy Ugadi and let this year be filled with delightful things in each of its days.