Ugadi is the festival of the first day of the new religious year according to the Hindu Chandramana (Lunar) calendar. In the Telegu and Karnataka communities, Ugadi is celebrated on the first day of month of Chaitra (March-April). The origin of the name Ugadi has been derived from the Sanskrit words “Yuga Adi” (yuga + adi meaning "beginning of a new age"). It is believed that Brahma started creation on this day, the Chaitra suddha padhyami or the Ugadi day. Symbolically, Ugadi signifies a giving of thanks for bounteous crops and the beginning of a new era. It marks the onset of spring, of new life, and new possibilities.

        Ugadi is celebrated with great festivity by many communities. It is considered to be one of the most auspicious times for Hindus to start new ventures. On Ugadi, families wear new clothes signifying a new beginning and taste a dish made out of sweet and sour (bitter) ingredients signifying that life in the New Year will have a mixture of good and hard times. People worship the Lord, asking for his blessings for the New Year. They pray for their health, wealth and prosperity and success in business.

         In accordance with these beliefs and traditions, Ugadi is celebrated in our Temple with our priests performing the abhishekam for Sri Venkateswara Swami (utsava murti), followed by a Satyanarayana Puja. Husbands and wives join their hands together as divine couples to perform the “Samuhika Dampati Sahita Satyanarayana Puja.” It is a beautiful sight to witness many hundreds of divine couples seated together to perform the puja, in an atmosphere that is both festive and filled with devotion. There is a belief that performing this puja with devotion will bring happiness, health, wealth, and success in the New Year.

        Another important aspect of this festival is Panchanga Shravanam, hearing of the Panchanga (religious almanac for the New Year). The Panchanga Shravanam is chanted at our Temple by the priests. The Panchanga Sravanam consists of narration of the Panchanga, the new almanac that provides a prediction of things to expect in the coming year according to each Rasi or Janma Nakshatra.