About Ugadi Festival
Like I mentioned in the beginning, Ugadi Festival is celebrated as the day that is the new year for the people of Telugu and Kannada communities in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. In Maharashtra, this new year festival is known as Gudi Padwa. For the Sindhi community, it is Cheti Chand. The Telugu people call it as the Ugadi Festival, whereas the festival is popular by its other term Yugadi for the Kannadigas or the people of Karnataka. ‘Yugadi or Ugadi,’ is a word that is composed of the Sanskrit words ‘yuga’ meaning ‘age’ and ‘adi’ meaning ‘beginning.’ So, ‘beginning of a new age’ is what the actual meaning is. Thus, a new year or new beginnings. Some of the common traditions that are followed during the festival of Ugadi are buying new clothes, cleaning homes, offering prayers, making beautiful rangolis with rice powder/paste, sand, flowers, etc., feasting on delish Ugadi Food Recipes and participating in other festivities. Ugadi Pachadi is one of the classic examples of the Ugadi Special Food recipe that is a specialty traditionally made during this day. The way it is composed, it symbolizes the multi-layered experiences that life has in store for us. Sharing more on this in the coming sections. Do give it a read.
Significance Of Ugadi Festival
Apart from it being the New Year, there are many folklore which explains the mythological significance of the Ugadi Festival. So, before you head on to the compilation of Ugadi Special Food Recipes, read on to know some of them:
It is believed that Yugadi was the day when Lord Brahma began to create this universe. Once he had completed his 100 years of meditation, his divine origin was realised. Following this awakening, he also recognized his purpose to design the universe. Thus, becoming the architect of the universe. Another legend says that Ugadi was the day when Lord Rama of the Hindu epic Ramayana, was officially crowned as the king of Ayodhya. The citizens of Ayodhya commemorated the victory of good over evil by crowning him the king on this day. According to some, the day of Ugadi is also recognized as the day when the ultimate form and source of Divine, Lord Krishna ended his time on Earth. Thus, flagging off the beginning of a new ‘yuga’ or ‘age’ called as the Kali Yuga. The departure of Krishna is actually considered inauspicious. But the positive impacts of Kali Yuga, had more than made up for it.
Ugadi Food
Like I mentioned earlier, one of the most important Ugadi Recipes that is prepared during Ugadi Festival is the Ugadi Pachadi. The Ugadi pachadi signifies all the 6 tastes – sweet, salty, spicy, sour, astringent and bitter. Thus, also signifying the main essence of this festival and how life should be a balance of sweet, sour and bitter. The 6 ingredients included in making this unique pachadi have one of these tastes in each one of them. These 6 tastes correspond to the 6 emotions of life which everyone goes through – joy, sadness, anger, fear, disgust and surprise. In Karnataka, a mixture of neem leaves and jaggery is consumed. This is known as bevu bella, where the Kannada word ‘bevu’ means ‘neem flowers’ and ‘bella’ means ‘jaggery.’ This is one of the unique Ugadi special food item that is famous in this part of South India. In addition to this pachadi, other sweets and snacks are also made as common Ugadi Food Recipes. Here, in this collection, I have shared recipes that you can easily make on Ugadi Festival. I have divided the list into popular Ugadi recipes, sweets, snacks, and finally and lunch and dinner ideas. Remember some of these recipes may have onion and garlic. Omit adding them, if you are making a satvik meal or if you plan to offer the food to the deities. Most of these recipes for Ugadi are simple, fuss-free, yet delicious. I have some of the most famous and classic recipes as well as others in sweets/desserts, snacks/savories and lunch and dinner options too. Many of them are nutritious, even vegan too. Life’s a mélange of sweet (jaggery), sour (raw mango), bitter (neem). Make it a balanced one! So, here’s wishing all my readers, a very Happy Ugadi!
55 Ugadi Special Food Recipes
Popular Recipes
Below are some of the essential and popular recipes for Ugadi Festival. This section includes sweets, savories as well as rice-based dishes.
Ugadi Sweets Recipes
We all love to have sweets during festivals. Right? So, there a variety of sweet dishes that you can make for Ugadi Festival too. Here, I have compiled some of the well-known South Indian recipes of sweets and desserts. While some are a breeze to make, some take more time and are not so easy. Depending on your schedule and availability of the ingredients, choose any recipe that is the perfect fit for you.
Snacks & Savories
Some of the snacks listed below can be made a day ahead. Like murukku, thattai, kara boondi, ribbon pakoda and mixture.
Lunch & Dinner Ideas
Listed below are some traditional South Indian recipes that are made during Ugadi Festival as well as others. This Ugadi Food Recipes post for the Ugadi Festival from the archives first published on March 2017 has been updated and republished on March 2023.
