New Year Festivities Not Over Yet; Here Is How India Celebrates

The year 2014 is just two days old, marking the beginning of yet another Gregorian calendar year. But revellers who painted the town red and want more party time need not lose heart. Officially, the year has taken off on January 1, but the regional variants of the New Year’s Day still prevail in a country like India – home to a colourful mélange of cultures and traditions. So we are yet to experience a spate of New Year festivities, celebrated from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from the north-east to the western coast.

Interestingly, both the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and the previous Julian calendar (first implemented by Julius Caesar in 46 BC) kick off on the same day – January 1. The Romans originally dedicated the first day of the year to Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings, and January, the first month of the year, was named after him. Later on, most nations in Western Europe officially started the New Year from January 1. The UK was a late adopter, though, and observed New Year’s Day on March 25, popularly known as Lady Day since it celebrated Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Annunciation. This practice stayed in England up to 1752.

Closer home, we have many time-reckoning systems but the most significant among them is the Sakabda or the Saka calendar. It was introduced in 78 AD, most probably by the Kushan ruler Kanishka, and was even used in other countries such as Kampuchea and Indonesia. Another one is the popular Bangabda or the Bengali Calendar, a solar calendar started by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1584 AD. Then there is the Hijri New Year, also known as the Islamic New Year, which started in 610 AD when Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina.

With so many calendars around and so many regional New Year’s Days to celebrate, it’s time to soak in the traditional rituals once more, mostly observed during the months of Chaitra and Baishakh (March-April). Here’s a quick look at the key events.

Navreh – Kashmir: Let us start with Navreh, the New Year’s Day in the lunar calendar and observed on the Shukla Pratipada (first day of the waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March-April). It is the oldest New Year celebration, and finds mention in historical works such as Nilamat Purana, Kalhana’s Rajtarangini and Persian scholar Al-Biruni’s writing. Each household prepares the ‘holi thali’ with great care, containing food, flower and other essentials, and it is viewed at the dawn of Navreh while family members pray for wealth, knowledge and good luck. From this day, Nav Durga Puja or Navratra also begins in Kashmir and continues for 9 days.

Chaitti – Himachal Pradesh: In this hill state, the New Year’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra according to the Vikrami calendar and festivals such as Navratri and Ralli Puja are held throughout the month in honour of Goddess Durga/Bhagwati. The month-long Ralli Puja ends in the marriage of Lord Shiva and the goddess as spinsters seek blessings of the divine duo for a spouse like Lord Shiva.

Ugadi – Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka: It is celebrated on the same day as Navreh, in the month of Chaitra, and marks the beginning of the South Indian lunar year. People of these southern states believe that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this auspicious day. Houses are decorated with mango leaves and rangoli designs; Panchanga or the religious almanac is recited and puja offerings are made for a prosperous New Year. Ugadi pachadi, the traditional dish of six flavours made of neem, jaggery & banana, salt, green chilli/pepper, tamarind juice and unripe mango, is also relished on this occasion to acknowledge six different aspects of life.

Gudhi Padva – Maharashtra & Goa: Observed on the same day as Navreh and Ugadi (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), the New Year festivities in these states celebrate the bounty of Nature. Houses are decked up with rangoli and colourful gudhi – a bright-hued, embellished silk banner tied to a decorated bamboo pole and an upside down brass/silver pot fitted on the top. A day after Gudhi Padva, Cheti Chand or the Sindhi New Year is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Ishtadeva Uderolal or Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis. Lord Varuna, the water god, is also worshipped on this day, followed by feasting and devotional music.

Varuda Pirappu/Puthandu – Tamil Nadu: Held in mid-April, the Tamil New Year’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, which is the first month of the traditional Tamil calendar. Just like Navreh, the day begins with auspicious sighting or Kanni, as people worship rice & farm products, precious metals and new clothes. Ritualistic patterns called kolams are drawn; traditional lamps or kuthu vilakkus are lighted and placed in the centre, and brass bowls known as niraikudums are filled with water to usher in prosperity and fulfillment. It is followed by the almanac worship called Panchanga Puja. And the festive meal features pachadi, fruits and payasam or dessert.

Vishu – Kerala: Vishu is the Malayalam New Year’s Day, observed in Kerala on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. As in other South Indian states, auspicious sighting and other rituals are observed as part of the celebration; firecrackers are burst and an elaborate festive lunch called sadya is served.

Poila Baishakh – West Bengal: The Bengali New Year’s Day is celebrated in the month of Baishakh (mostly on April 14). Also known as Naba Barsha, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, deities of wealth, are worshipped on this day while businesses open fresh ledgers known as Haal Khata. Feasting, festivities and cultural programmes are the main attractions here. Maithili New Year Juri Sheetal is also celebrated on this day.

Maha Vishuva Sankranti – Odisha: In neighbouring Odisha, the New Year’s Day is also known as Pana Sankranit or Jala Sankranti or Mesha Sankranti that marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar. Traditionally held on the first day of Baishakh (mid-April), a sweet drink called Pana is made using fruits, card, milk, water and sugar/jaggery and bestowed as puja offering. People also drink Pana and water is offered to all, even to birds and animals, for a month. Throughout this period, Goddess Hingula is worshipped for driving the evil away. Devotees often keep fast and perform penances as part of the rituals.

Rongali/Bohag Bihu – Assam: Held in the month of Baishakh (mid-April), this weeklong colourful and vibrant festival not only marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar, but also heralds the new agricultural season. As in all other states, pujas are offered to ensure a prosperous year ahead; festive food such as pitha and laru is made and shared, and young people get together to choose their life partners. Fairs are held; games are played, and the traditional Bihu songs & dances make it the perfect season for jollity and merriment.

Cheiraoba – Manipur: Moving further north-east, one gets to celebrate the Manipuri New Year Sajibu Cheiraoba in the month of April. Puja offerings, delicious food and festivities mark this occasion as well. In addition, locals climb the nearest hill tops, thus aspiring to rise to great heights in real life.

Baisakhi/Vaisakhi – Punjab: Traditionally a harvest festival, the Punjabi New Year’s Day is held on April 13/14 (the first day of the second month of the year, according to the Nanakshahi Calendar). It is a significant day for the Sikh community as well since they celebrate the day in honor of the 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who did away with the caste system. Otherwise, fun, food and country dances like Bhangra and Giddha, keeping time with the beats of dhols and drums, mark this occasion.

Bestu Varas – Gujarat: In certain parts of northern and western India, Diwali heralds the New Year and Gujarat is one of them. Bestu Varas is held a day after the Festival of Lights, in the month of Kartik (October-November) and houses are splendidly decked up with flowers, rangoli and torans (door hangings). Pujas are offered; New Year fireworks are everywhere and gifts are generously exchanged. And one must not forget the festive food either, especially the delectable and traditional snacks of Gujarat such as farsan.

Images: Wikipedia