Ugadi festival is being celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with traditional fervour and gaiety. The festival, which marks the beginning of the Hindu Lunar calendar, is also being celebrated by Telugu and Kannada speaking people outside the state. Thousands of devotees are thronging temples to pray for happiness and prosperity in the New Year. AIR Bangalore correspondent reports, “Khara Nama Samvatsara begins today. The lunar calendar begins with the month of Chaitra. Ugadi is celebrated in a distinct way in Karnataka. The day begins with an extensive oil bath and visit to temples. Rangolis are drawn in front of homes. Front doors are adorned with mango leaf festoon and neem leaves. A major event on the day is ‘Panchanga Sravana’ – which is reading of almanac comprising of predictions for the year. The elder member of the family reads it for all. Jaggery and neem flowers are exchanged between each others and consumed. The mix of sweet Jaggery and bitter neem flowers symbolically send the message that joy and sorrow in life should be received with equanimity.