Hyderabad was full of joy and celebration as people from different communities welcomed their New Year. Telugus celebrated Ugadi, Maharashtrians observed Gudi Padwa, and Sindhis marked Cheti Chand. All communities came together to enjoy the festivals with great enthusiasm and happiness.
Many people visited temples such as Birla Mandir and the Hare Krishna Golden Temple. Special prayers were held, and the traditional Panchangam reading (recitation of the almanac) took place. These readings, known as Panchanga Sravanam, were organized in temples across the city to mark the beginning of the New Year.
Markets in the city were busy as people rushed to buy festive items. Rythu bazaars were filled with shoppers looking for mango leaves, neem flowers, fruits, sugarcane, and other traditional items. Homes were decorated with flowers, neem, and mango leaves. Families also prepared special dishes, especially Ugadi Pachadi — a mix of sweet, sour, and bitter flavors that symbolizes the different emotions in life.
In the evening, various cultural events were held. Telugu and Maharashtrian communities organized poetry gatherings and traditional performances. A group called the Marathi Dhol Tasha Group also performed. A grand celebration took place at Shilparamam, where Professor Sagi Kamalakara Sharma, an astrologer and Telugu scholar from Osmania University, explained the details of the new year Panchangam, named Vishwavasu Nama Samvatsaram.
According to tradition, the Ugadi Pachadi represents the different emotions one experiences in life, such as joy, sorrow, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise. It teaches people to accept all these emotions with a calm mind. Besides being symbolic, the pachadi also has health benefits. It helps cool the body in summer, boosts immunity, and acts as a natural detox drink.
