Indian New Year Festivals

As per the mythology, the emergence of Hindu New Year is from the region of legendary King Vikramaditya during 57 BC. The father of Vikramaditya was defeated by Saka king and was captivated. Therefore, Vikramaditya was brought up in forest and when was capable he invaded Ujjain and defeated the king. Thus, people started celebrating this special day as Vikram Samvat that is now considered as the New Year in India. The name of New Year in India has emerged from this special day and is known as Vikram Samvat. Thus, below is the detailed description of New Year’s celebration in India in various regions along with unique tradition that they follow in celebrating this special day. New Year is mostly celebrated at the time of harvesting of crops and has different names like Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi, Cheiraoba in Manipur and Diwali as Marwari New Year.

The New Year celebration in entire India is different; it has its unique style of celebration, tradition and reason of celebration. Punjab celebrates New Year on 13^th April, Assam celebrates on 14^th or 15^th April, Bengal celebrates on 14^th or 15^th April, Gujarat celebrates on Karthik Shukla Pratipada, Kerala celebrates in the month of Medam (This is the day when Sun enters in constellation Leo), Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh celebrates on Chaitra Shuddha Prathipade, Sikkim celebrates on 18th day of the 10th month of Tibetan Lunar Calendar and in Tamil Nadu it is celebrated on 13^th or 14^th April.

Let us have a deep insight of all the New Year festival celebrations in different regions of India.

Ugadi is the Telugu New Year that is celebrated in the states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka every year on Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami or on the first day of Chaitra month. This day is celebrated in the month of March or April as per the Gregorian calendar. This year Ugadi will be celebrated on 18th April. As per the celebration of this festival is concerned, it is celebrated with entire family where various rituals are followed along with offering prayers to God. The same day is also celebrated with different names as Sindhis celebrate it with the name Cheti Chand, Rajasthani celebrates it with name Thapna. Along with India, the residents of India in various foreign countries also celebrate it with great energy and enthusiasm. People start preparation for the festival before a week where new clothes are purchased along with various other elements. Along with this, special dishes are prepared where people celebrate this special day with their friends, relatives and neighbors by distributing sweets and best wishes with each other.

Gudi Padwa is a New Year day for Maharashtrians and Konkanis and is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra. The celebration of this special day commence with the purchase of new clothes and decorating entire house with flowers, decorative items, lighting, etc. As per the rituals, people hang gudi in front of the right main entrance of the house. As per the gudi is concerned, it is a bright yellow cloth which is tied to a long bamboo and copper pot placed inverted on the bamboo stick along with sugar garland. Thus, the celebration of the New Year at this part of India has its unique style and gains high attention of visitors.

Baisakhi is the New Year day for Punjab that is celebrated during harvesting time. It is considered the biggest harvest festival in the state and residents wait for this day for entire year. Baisakhi is celebrated in entire North India with great enthusiasm and spread message of unity in the society. Baisakhi is celebrated on 13th of April however sometime it is also celebrated on 14th April which is based on the Sikh Khalsa. People can enjoy the real pleasure of this day by visiting Golden Temple in Amritsar along with Khalsa. The main celebration of New Year on this day takes place at these two important places and people visit it in large number to welcome New Near in their life. Along with India, Baisakhi is also celebrated in United States, United Kingdom and Canada, as large number of Punjabis reside there.

Bihu is New Year day in the state of Assam that is celebrated at the middle of the April, which is the beginning of season agriculture in the state. This festival is celebrated with great faith, belief and ritual. People share their happiness with their neighbors, friends and relatives. The different names of Bihu festival in Assma are Bohag Bihu, Kaati Bihu and Maagh Bihu.

Vishu is the New Year day in Kerala that is usually celebrated on 14th April every year. This festival is similar in celebration as of entire country, where people go for shopping and decorating their houses and organize various ritual dance programs and other activities from the early morning. Thus, along with the celebration, this festival is also related to the well wishes to each other for the upcoming year.

Puthandu is New Year day festival for the people of Tamil Nadu. It is commenced on the mid of April on 13 or 14 every year or on the first day of Chithiraj. People on this special day wish Happy New Year in their language by saying ‘Puthandu Vazthukal’. Special dish of this festival is Mangai Pachadi that is made of raw mango, jaggery and neem flowers.

Cheti Chand is celebrated among Sindhis that is the first day of the New Year and is celebrated on the second day of Chaitra month that falls a day after Gudi Padi and Ugadi.

Pohela Boishakh is the New Year day of Bengal that is considered the first day of the Bengali calendar. It is celebrated on 14 or 15 April every year in Bangladesh and in Indian West Bengal respectively. Amazing cultural programs are organized; people prefer shopping prayers and decorating their house as all these activities are associated with the rituals of this special day among Bengalis.

Bestu Varas is the New Year day of Gujarat that fall during harvest season on the day after Diwali. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and various cultural programs are organized. Thus, all these new years day have their special importance in the life of people and they wait for entire year to welcome this day in special way. Rituals and cultural activities of various states are the greatest attractions for travelers who wish to enjoy real tradition and rituals of India.