Ugadi celebrated with fanfare in AP

Hyderabad, Mar 20 (UNI) 'Ugadi', the Telugu new year, was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm across Andhra Pradesh today.

Ritualistic bath, gathering of extended family and sumptuous feasts marked the beginning of the ''Sarvajitnama Samasram'' Special 'Ugadi Pachidi'' made of neem buds, flowers, jaggery and raw mango or vagaru tamarind juice was consumed on the day to signify that life is a mixture of pleasure and pain, which should be accepted together and with equanimity.

Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy began the Assembly-sitting by wishing the members ''Ugadi Subhakankshalu''.

Special prayers were organised in temples in the state. Curious people gathered to listen to the recitation of 'Panchangam' (almanac) in the coming year, and to the general forecast of the year to come.

Literary discussions, poetry recitations and awards and cultural programmes to honour authors were organised on the occasion.

The festival marks the initiation of the Salivahana era by Satavana King Salivahana on this day (78 AD of the Gregorian calendar).

Controversy embroiled this year's celebrations with pandits differing on its occurrence. The State Government, which had advanced the celebrations by a day to yesterday, provided optional holiday to its employees today.

UNI