Yugadi from yuga + aadi, yuga means era, aadi means start. The start of an era, is the new year's day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh use the term Yugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand.

It falls on a different day every year because the Indian calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and Yugadi marks the first day of the new year.

Ugadi/Yugadi marks the start of an era! The Telugu and Kannadiga new year festival is filled with delightful dishes such as various pachadis, mango recipes, and different kinds of poli. Also, payasam is a holiday favorite!