Max Mueller once said this (about India) – If there is any heaven, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here. When the British left India removing Paramountcy, India was found to be an amalgamation of 565 provinces, with each province, desiring to be a country. These provinces were threaded together by The Govt. of India. When we travel across India, we find the biggest diversity in the world. Just trespassing a region means that people of different cultures, habits, food eating habits, cuisines, manners, ethics, and dressing sense are evident.
Just like different festivals, we have The New Year Celebrations. Different places in our country have different rituals and traditions, for New Year. Out of the 9 celebrations for New Year, belonging to different states & communities, 6 of them are celebrated in April. The following events mark the New Year in April.
The traditional New Year in Tamil starts in the mid of April either between 13th to 15th April or the first day of Tamil month Chithirai. People celebrate this festival with each other “ Puthandu Vazthukal” which means Happy New Year. The special food of this celebration is Mangai Pachadi, made up of raw mangoes, neem flowers, and jaggery.
Bohag Bihu marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. The festival is one of the most significant festivals of Assam that is celebrated with great zeal, faith, belief, and rituals. It is celebrated on mid of every April.
Celebrated with great enthusiasm, and energy, during the mid of April, The NaboBarsho is the Bengali New Year. The day brings in a lot of festivities along with several cultural programs, shopping events, and prayers. PohelaBoishakh is celebrated by tribal people in hilly regions of Tripura and also, in different cities of several other countries.
Vishu is the Malayalam New Year, observed just like a New Year elsewhere in India, but usually on April 14 of the calendar. It is one of the most popular traditional celebrations, followed by the people and pilgrims of Kerala. This Festival is so auspicious that certain activities on this day are considered very favorable – like VishuKani (The First View), VishuKaineetam (The first token of Money received), VishuSadhya (meal to be had on the day).
This New Year in Kashmir falls on the first day of Chaitra Navratri and is observed as sacred as the Shivratri. The event is celebrated with great enthusiasm, sanctity and marks the beginning of a new year just like Gaudi Parva, Ugadi, etc.
Pana Sankranti is the traditional New Year day festival of the people in Odisha. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm as people visit Hanuman temples, take baths in the sacred river or major pilgrimage centers. Moreover, communities participate in mela, enjoy dance and acrobatic performances and much more.
Bestu Varas is the Gujarati New Year which marks the beginning of the harvest season in Gujrat and therefore is observed with great fervour. The festival comes on the day after Diwali along with religious rituals and traditions. Marwaris of Rajasthan observe Diwali as a new year, as the most pious day to start a new beginning.
Pana Sankranti is the traditional New Year day festival of the people in Odisha. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm as people visit Hanuman temples, take baths in the sacred river or major pilgrimage centers. Moreover, communities participate in mela, enjoy dance and acrobatic performances and much more.
The Muslim New Year Begin on the first day of Muharram as the Islamic calendar does not line up with the Gregorian calendar and only because of that the date for the Islamic New Year or Muharram varies as per lunar calendar. The New Year is celebrated with ancient customs & traditions for incoming spring. The New Year celebrations of April mark the Abundance of Joy, Unity, Togetherness, Happiness, Team Work, Serenity, and Yearly Perseverance. The New Years are thoroughly celebrated and are considered not just auspicious for a new beginning but considered Vital for a fresh beginning to life.
Vishu is the Malayalam New Year, observed just like a New Year elsewhere in India, but usually on April 14 of the calendar. It is one of the most popular traditional celebrations, followed by the people and pilgrims of Kerala. This Festival is so auspicious that certain activities on this day are considered very favorable – like VishuKani (The First View), VishuKaineetam (The first token of Money received), VishuSadhya (meal to be had on the day).
