Preparation for the festival starts well in advance. Shopping for the new clothes and the festival items are done with great excitement. Mango leaves and coconuts are used on this auspicious occasion to propitiate gods.
The day begins with ritual showers of oil bath, followed by prayers, and then the eating of Ugadi Pacchadi. It is a specific mixture of neem buds, jaggery, raw mango, green pepper and tamarind juice, symbolising the fact that life is a mixture of pleasure and pain and that to be accepted with ease. In Karnataka, this special dish is called Bevu Bella and in Andhra Pradesh it is called Ugadi Pachhadi. It makes us develop positive attitude towards life.
This ritual is followed by listening to the recitation of the religious almanac (locally called Panchanga Shravana) of the coming year and the general forecast of the year to come. Now this can be watched on the television. Ugadi is also considered an auspicious time to venture into new projects.
Entrance of the houses are decorated with fresh mango leaves. People go to temples, perform special pujas, abhishekam, homam and chant mantras. The people of these two states celebrate this festival with gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast. Gifts are also exchanged with friends and relatives during the occasion. Ugadi is a joyous occasion for one and all.
Literary discussions and recognition of authors through awards and cultural programs, are also done during Ugadi celebrations.
Apart from the above two states, the people of Maharashtra in India, also celebrate their New Year on the same day and it is called as Gudi Padwa.
