This festival marks the beginning of new year in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. This festival is known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It has become a custom to hold Kavi Sammelans ( Poetry recitals) this day.

Gudi Padva is considered one of the four most auspicious days in the year when people start new ventures. It is believed that Lord Brahma, created the world on this day and so he is worshipped specially at this time. Lord Vishnu too is said to have incarnated as Matsya, the fish, on this day. A gudi (banner) with a swastika -marked metal pot and silk cloth is raised to announce victory and joy. It is reminiscent of the valiant Marathas returning home from their successful expeditions of war.

Hosts Bipin and Beena Patel (HQ Printers) were thanked for sponsoring the program and havan. After Vishnu Sahasranaam, led by Pani and Raji Chakrapani, the main feature of the Ugadi celebration, the cultural program began. It featured Mandir youth dressed in clothing native to their regions. Apoorva Panse described how Maharashtrians celebrate Gudi Padwa on the first day of Chaitra. A Gudipadwa, a flag decorated with colorful flowers with an upturned kalash on the top, was prominent in the Mandir. In Maharashtra, gudis are hung outside of houses.

Sheela Shekar, Shanta Hareesh and Vikram Kumar each spoke about Ugadi celebrations in their regions. People consume Neem and jaggery. The bitter Neem and the sweet jaggery are compared to life, which is a mixture of good and bad, sweet and bitter. This reminds us that all experiences should be treated with equanimity.