This Indian festival of Ugadi marks the onset of joy, happiness, hope, and light
Ugadi is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. It marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Hindu lunar calendar, and typically falls in March or April. The festival is also known as Yugadi, and its name is derived from the Sanskrit words "yuga" (age) and "adi" (beginning), signifying the start of a new era. Ugadi is a time of great joy and merriment for people in these states. It is customary to clean and decorate homes with colorful rangolis (patterns made from colored powders), fresh flowers, and mango leaves. Women dress up in traditional sarees and jewelry, and special dishes are prepared for the occasion. One of the most popular dishes is "Ugadi Pachadi", a mixture of six tastes representing different emotions and experiences that one may encounter in the coming year - sweet (happiness), sour (disappointment), salty (fear), bitter (sadness)...