Religious fervour and celebratory gaiety marked Plava Nama Samvatsara Ugadi celebrations in the city on Tuesday even as citizens maintained a low-key keeping the rising Covid-19 cases in mind. Celebrations began from the wee hours of Tuesday.

People decorated their homes with fresh flowers and mango leaves and painted colourful rangoli right outside their homes. The ‘Ugadi Pachadi’ chutney — a festival delicacy made of six key ingredients: jaggery, mango pulp, chillies, neem flowers, salt and tamarind juice — was prepared in homes and distributed among near and dear.

Temples across the city saw a massive rush from devotees from early hours. The Panchanga Sravanam programme was conducted across temples and residential colonies. Citizens, clad in traditional wear, partook in celebrations.

Vedic scholars offered special prayers in the hope that the next year brings more joy. The Vedic committee of the Kanaka Durga temple offered special prayers wishing world peace.

"Plava Nama Samvatsara will give good results to both India and Andhra Pradesh as per Vedic predictions," said Vishnubotla Siva Prasadam Sharma, sthana acharya of Kanaka Durga temple.

Meanwhile, rush continued at festival markets. Stalls selling sweets and festive merchandise saw tremendous response from buyers.

Offering mangoes in prayer and gifting them to friends and family, an important ritual of Ugadi celebrations, drove up mango prices. The Nuzvid Rasalu mango sold for Rs 350 a dozen.

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