The name Yugadi or Ugadi is derived from the Sanskrit words yuga (age) and ādi (beginning): "the beginning of a new age". Yugadi specifically refers to the start of the age we are living in now, the Kali Yuga. The Kali Yuga began when Lord Krishna left the world. Maharshi Vedavyasa describes this event with the words "Yesmin Krishno divamvyataha, Tasmat eeva pratipannam Kaliyugam". Kali Yuga began on February 17 or 18, at midnight, in 3102 BCE.
It's now 3102+2021= 5123 years into Kaliyuga, the age of which is 432000 years.

Yugadi falls on "Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami" or the first day of the bright half of the Indian month of Chaitra.
This generally falls in the months of March or April of the Gregorian calendar.

Lunar calendars have a 60-year cycle and starts the new year on Yugadi i.e., on "Chaitra Sudhdha Paadyami" (Chaitram is the name of the first month, Suddha Padyami is the first day in the 15 days lunar cycle). After the completion of 60 years, the calendar starts a new with the first year.

The Yugadi is based on Bhāskara II lunar calculations in the 12th century. It starts on the sunrise immediately after the first new moon after Sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north on the spring equinox and enters the First Point of Aries. For example, the time for the new moon for Bijapur where Bhaskaracharya was born can be determined from the website However, people celebrate Yugadi on the next morning as Indian day starts from sun rise.

While the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana use the term Ugadi and Karnataka use the term Yugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa
The Marwari of Rajasthan celebrate the same day as their new year day Thapna.
The Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as Cheti Chand, which is the beginning of their calendar year.
The Manipuris also celebrate their New Year as Sajibu Nongma Panba on the same day.
The Hindus of Bali and Indonesia also celebrate their new year on the same day as Nyepi.

The festival marks the new year day for people between Vindhyas and Kaveri river who follow the South Indian lunar calendar

Tamizh Puthandu and Vishu also align.

Ugadi pachchadi, made primarily of jaggery, raw mango pieces, neem flowers, chilli / pepper, tamarind and salt truly reflects the emotions and experiences of life - a combination of six different tastes- sweet, sour, bitter, piquant, tangy and salty, symbolising happiness, surprise, dislike, anger, fear, and belonging denotes that life is a mix of all these based on our past Karma and once we are able to relish it, we don't react to life experiences but proactively invest in unconditional love which alone leads to good karma for the future.

Wishing all the blessings of creation in abundance to one and all on this Yugadi day.