A sweet Gudi Padwa
Deccan ChronicleFor Pooja Hegde, born and raised in Karnataka, Ugadi has always been a festival of togetherness. “The festival marks the start of the New Year, so it brings a lot of positivity and hope,” she shares, adding that paayasam and Kheer are made at home on this auspicious day. “Gudi Padwa would be incomplete without paayasam,” she beams, and shares that her mother taught her how to prepare sweets and desserts. “When at home I make sure that I make the sweet and kheer; these are Gudi Padwa classics; these desserts are especially prepared during the festival and are among my favourite dishes along with puran poli and basundi,” she reveals. Though she has had to be away on work on some occasions, the actress says, “For most of the big festivals like Dasara, Gudi Padwa, Diwali, etc., I make sure that I am at home and make family and friends feel special and spread warmth in my own little way.” “I am a good host, so I make sure that everyone around me is having a good time,” says Pooja.