Context: Pre-Ugadi festivities started with vibrant 'Jatharas' (fairs) at Sri Kanakamma Ammavaru Temple in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
About Ugadi festival:
- Ugadi/Yugadi, also known as Samvatsaradi (beginning of the year), is New Year's Day.
- Celebrated in the states of: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Goa in India.
- Locally known as Souramana Ugadi or Mesha Sankranti (by followers of Souramana calendar system) in Karnataka.
- Souramana, or the solar year, is a way of measuring time using the movement of the sun.
- Chandramana, or the lunar year, is a way of keeping track of the year with the moon's movement.
- It is observed in these regions on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra (falling in late March or early April as per the Gregorian calendar).
- Traditions and rituals:
- Drawing colourful patterns on the floor called Muggulu.
- Mango leaf decorations on doors called Torana.
- Preparing and sharing a special food called Pachadi.
- It has been an historic festival of the Hindus, with medieval texts and inscriptions recording major charitable donations to Hindu temples on this day.
- Ugadi is one of the five Hindu national public holidays in Mauritius.
Traditional News Year Festivals in India:
| S.NO. | Festival | Information |
| 1. | Puthandu | Tamil NaduFirst day of year on the Tamil calendarThe festival date is set with the solar cycle of the solar Hindu calendar. References about the festival: In Netunalvatai, by a Sangam period author, NakkirarSilappadikaram by Illango AdigalManimekalai by Seethalai Satanar |
| 2. | Jude Sheetal/Maithili New Year | Bihar; JharkhandCelebrated by the Maithilis in Bihar, Jharkhand and even Nepal. |
| 3. | Novruz | Novruz is the Iranian New YearIn India, it is celebrated by the Parsi community. In 2009, it was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. |
| 4. | Vishu | KeralaFestival starts with Vishu Kani: arranging harvest's fruits, vegetables and seasonal flowers in front of a mirror.Devotees visit Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple and Guruvayur Krishna temple for prayers. |
| 5. | Navreh/Kashmiri New Year | Celebrated by Kashmiri PanditsDedicated to their Goddess Sharika. On the eve of the Navreh, the priest of the family provides a Nechipatra, a collection of the important events and a scroll, Kreel-Pach of the Goddess. |
| 6. | Gudi Padwa/Marathi New Year | Maharashtra and parts of Goa.People hoist Gudi dhwaja (a decorated flag to symbolize victory) outside their homes.Some believe that the festival marks the victory of Shivaji over Mughal dominance in the Maharashtra region. |
| 7. | Shigmo/Shishirotsava | By Konkani speaking communities in Goa and parts of Karnataka.Two variants: Dhakto Shigmo (small Shigmo) and Vhadlo Shigmo (big Shigmo).Dhakto Shigmo: celebrated by the farmers, labor class, and the rural population;VhadloShigmo: celebrated on a major scale and everyone takes part. |
| 8. | Cheti Chand | Celebrated by the Sindhi community.Marks the arrival of spring and harvestIn the Sindhi community, it also marks the birth of Uderolal in 1007. He, as Jhulelal, became the saviour of the Sindhi Hindus. |
| 9. | Losoong | Also known as NamsoongSikkimese New Year, also observed in Darjeeling (West Bengal)Communities: Lepchas and Bhutias.Several religious dances (known as Chaams) are performed mostly in the famous monasteries. |
| 10. | Ashadhi Beej | Celebrated by the Kutchi community in GujaratAssociated with the beginning of rains in the Kutch region. |
| 11. | Sajibu Cheiraoba/Nongma Panba | ManipurCelebrated by Meiteis, an ethnic group who follow Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion).Observed on first day of Manipuri lunar month Shajibu (month of April every year) |
| 12. | Pana Sankranti/Vishuva Sankranti | Celebrated in OdishaAn earthen pot is filled with a sweet drink which is known as Pana and hung over a Basil (Tulsi) tree. |
Also read for information on Harvest festivals: https://compass.rauias.com/gk/harvest-festivals/