When is Ugadi 2026?

• Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, begins March 19, 2026, marked by festive rituals.
• The festival signifies a new era & follows a 60-year cycle (Samvatsara) linked to Jupiter.
• Ugadi’s date is based on lunar calendars; devotees observe traditions & welcome prosperity.

Ugadi marks the beginning of the Telugu New Year. It is celebrated with full festive fervour in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. The festival symbolises

prosperity and happiness. It also marks the beginning of the month of Chaitra. Devotees welcome this festival with devotion and by observing traditional rituals. Ugadi is based on the lunar calendar and the positions of the Sun and the Moon. It is celebrated on the Pratipada (first day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. "Ugadi is also popularly known as Samvatsaradi and it literally means the beginning of new Samvat. Samvatsara is the 60 years long cycle which is linked to the position of Jupiter. Each year in Samvatsara cycle is assigned a fixed name and the prediction for the coming year is done based on the nature of new Samvat," states Drik Panchang.

Ugadi Date and Time

Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra begins: 19 March 2026, 6:52 am
Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra ends: 20 March 2026, 4:52 pm

The Telugu Shaka Samvat 1948 will begin from the Pratipada of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra. This is the traditional Telugu calendar followed in South India. Hence, Ugadi will be celebrated on 19 March, 2026.

Significance of Ugadi

"Ugadi is the first day of lunisolar based Hindu calendar. Most Hindu calendars are based on an ancient treatise popularly known as Surya Siddhanta. As per Hindu beliefs, the treatise of Surya Siddhanta was revealed to mankind by the Lord Surya himself. Hence the origin of Ugadi might be impossible to date," states Drik Panchang.

The festival holds both spiritual and cultural importance. The word Ugadi is derived from two Sanskrit words. ‘Yuga’ means era or age and ‘Adi’ means beginning. Thus, Ugadi symbolises the beginning of a new era.

According to religious belief, when Lord Brahma was born he did not see any other living being in creation. He searched everywhere but, finding no purpose, he went into deep meditation. After performing penance for many solar years, he realised his divine form and created the universe. It is said that because of this, Ugadi is regarded as a symbol of a new beginning.

Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information and facts provided here.