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If the snapshots of a frozen Niagara have chilled you to the bones and the gradual dip in mercury at home keeps you shivering, here is the best remedy to beat the last leg of the icy cold <keyword id="46788" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Winter">winter</keyword>. Celebrate <keyword id="6494293" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lohri">Lohri</keyword> this year with <keyword id="28762" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="fire">fire</keyword> and flamboyance – with the beating of dhol, <keyword id="6920" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhangra">bhangra</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="465865" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="giddha">giddha</keyword> dancing, blazing bonfires and mithas of traditional sweets. Lohri is a popular <keyword id="404010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harvest-festival">harvest festival</keyword>, celebrated all over <keyword id="55424" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Northern-India">Northern India</keyword> in the middle of January, and Monday the 13th is the stipulated date this year. 
 Essentially a <keyword id="2012366" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rural-festival">rural festival</keyword> held in <keyword id="6354953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjab">Punjab</keyword>, <keyword id="41646" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Haryana">Haryana</keyword>, <keyword id="66" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword> and some parts of <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword> and <keyword id="6357972" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jammu">Jammu</keyword>, this one celebrates the bountiful harvests as the ravi crops (winter crops including wheat, barley, mustard, <keyword id="56382" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sesame">sesame</keyword> and peas) are gathered while people unite in thanksgiving and pray for prosperity. Held on the last day of the month Paush, Lohri also marks the Sun’s entry into the northern hemisphere, popularly known as <keyword id="90750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uttarayan">Uttarayan</keyword>. This signifies the end of the cold, dark winter days and bonfires are lit to worship the Sun – the eternal spark of life. Lohri melas (festivals) are also held every year to celebrate the occasion. 
 A week before the festival, children start gathering <keyword id="1066921" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="firewood">firewood</keyword> and go from door to door, singing old folk songs and collecting their <keyword id="2012376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lohri-loot">Lohri loot</keyword> – a wide variety of scrumptious sweets like <keyword id="2012377" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rewri">rewri</keyword>, <keyword id="529387" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gajak">gajak</keyword>, <keyword id="137842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jaggery">jaggery</keyword>, <keyword id="116024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Peanut">peanut</keyword> chikki and <keyword id="6427332" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="TIL">til</keyword> (sesame) barfi. On the D-day, after sundown, people rush to the <keyword id="2012365" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bonfire-celebration">bonfire celebration</keyword>, followed by a gala evening filled with songs, dances and feasting. The festival also holds great significance for the newlyweds and the newborns whose first Lohri is celebrated with pomp and splendour. 
 This year, too, the Lohri bashes are all set to fire up the festivities in spite of the <keyword id="517425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="biting-cold">biting cold</keyword> of the past few days. It has been partly cloudy in the national capital of Delhi, along with early <keyword id="49908" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="MORNING-FOG">morning fog</keyword> and a chilly breeze, but the day gets warmer with an occasional burst of sunshine. It has not rained either, as predicted by the MeT department, and the minimum temperature on the Lohri day is expected to hover between 4 and 6°C. Incidentally, the Jaffarpur Kalan area in Delhi has already recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 1.4°C a couple of days ago. The city also witnessed the worst fog in four years, with flight and train operations coming to a standstill. 
 
Such chilly weather means the bonfires must be extra large this time and the celebrations should get bigger as the sun goes down on Monday. Start the ritual with parikrama – circling the bonfire, chanting prayers, singing folk songs and putting in loads of til (sesame), <keyword id="2012380" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Moongphali">moongphali</keyword> (peanuts), <keyword id="2012381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chirwa">chirwa</keyword> (puffed rice) and <keyword id="82600" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maize">maize</keyword> (<keyword id="74000" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Popcorn">popcorn</keyword>) into the fire, as the old custom demands. Some even pour milk and water near the circle of fire. These prayers and offerings to the Sun are said to bring peace, harmony and prosperity throughout the year. When the parikrama is over, it is time to exchange gifts and distribute the prasad or puja offerings that mostly include peanuts, til, gajak, jaggery and other munchies. 
 
 
 
But Lohri also signifies a great celebration of life – dancing, feasting and revelry that bring in good cheer. So it’s time to go balle balle with some dazzling outfits, lively dance numbers, Patiala pegs and lip-smacking <keyword id="33659" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi-Cuisine">Punjabi cuisine</keyword>. Women can’t go much wrong with the <keyword id="2012402" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lohri-fashion">Lohri fashion</keyword>, though. A <keyword id="2012403" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Patiala-suit">Patiala suit</keyword> with bright-hued <keyword id="531498" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Phulkari">phulkari</keyword> work or heavily embellished <keyword id="6481130" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="zardozi">zardozi</keyword> designs, matching dupatta and gold/kundan jewellery complete the <keyword id="2012391" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ethnic-ensemble">ethnic ensemble</keyword> for this occasion. Go for bold colours and bright shades – not only for your outfit but also for your make-up. The more adventurous can always try glitter and rhinestone make-up to add some extra dazzle. Sport a front puff or a chotti (braid) with a parandi (decorative tassel) and walk out as the belle of the ball – ready to bhangra and giddha all evening, till the fire dies down. 
 Those in love with gourmet food are also looking forward to the celebrations. Start your evening with some spicy chat and tikka; wash it down with a Patiala peg or two or some sweet/salty lassi, and move on to a sumptuous dinner of <keyword id="2012392" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Makhani-di-dal">makhani di dal</keyword>, <keyword id="460117" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sarson-da-saag">sarson da saag</keyword> and <keyword id="2012393" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Makki-di-roti">makki di roti</keyword> (more here on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Top-Indian-Foods-For-Your-Palate-Must-try-Items-FromEvery-State/articleshow/22515429.cms">top Indian foods</a>), followed by the traditional dessert – <keyword id="2012394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gajar-da-halwa">gajar da halwa</keyword> or <keyword id="2012395" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mong-dal-da-halwa">mong dal da halwa</keyword>. 
 Although Lohri is mostly celebrated in Northern India, similar festivals are held in the East and the South. In <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>, it is <keyword id="42174" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Makar-Sankranti">Makar Sankranti</keyword> on January 14, just a day after Lohri. It is considered as one of the most auspicious days and lakhs of people from all over India take a <keyword id="6365583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holy-dip">holy dip</keyword> at the confluence of the river <keyword id="79976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ganges">Ganges</keyword> and the <keyword id="55869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bay-of-Bengal">Bay of Bengal</keyword>. In <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>, it is <keyword id="38378" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pongal">Pongal</keyword> from January 13 and the four-day harvest festival marks the start of a <keyword id="2012401" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-cycle">new cycle</keyword> as the Sun enters the northern hemisphere. And in <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword>, people celebrate the <keyword id="523926" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Magh-Bihu">Magh Bihu</keyword> or <keyword id="95767" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhogali-Bihu">Bhogali Bihu</keyword> on January 14, an equivalent of Makar Sankranti and Pongal. 
 
With so many festivities coming up in the next few days, we wish all our readers happiness, prosperity, and most importantly, a thawing of the heart. Our emotions freeze up at times; our sensitivity becomes numb and our empathy well often runs dry. So what better time is there than today for a renewal of self? That’s what Lohri or the bonfire celebration is all about – it tells us to thaw out our hearts and celebrate a fresh start, a new cycle of life.

Happy
Lohri! It’s Now Bonfire Time, Folks!

<ul><li>This is 1.5X the number of online food deliveries in India last year, and equivalent to the time required to walk around the globe 40,160 times respectively!</li><li>And no, it isn’t boomers! Females in the age group of 18-24 were glued to every minute of the episode and men in the age group of 25 to 34 binged on near-to-blows men fights and Arti’s captaincy struggles <keyword id="9778758" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="voot-exclusives">Voot Exclusives</keyword>. </li></ul>With eight digital sponsors, Bigg Boss’ latest season on Voot has clocked 1.5 billion views and 20+ billions minutes of watch-time, which is the highest so far the show has seen in years, as per Voot’s latest report. This is 1.5X the number of online food deliveries in India last year, and equivalent to the time required to walk around the globe 40,160 times respectively! 40 million viewers is 2.7X times the number of tickets sold on BookMyShow for popular films such as Avenger-End Game and Uri. <div type="image" title="voot watch time" msid="77609538" hostid="261"></div> And no, it isn’t boomers! Females in the age group of 18-24 were glued to every minute of the episode and men in the age group of 25 to 34 binged on the near-to-blows men fights and Arti’s captaincy struggles, according to Voot Exclusives. The report also reveals that Indians watched Bigg Boss more than Indian Idol, Kundali Bhagya, Kaun Banega Crorepati and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. <div type="image" title="bigg boss beats others shows" msid="77609554" hostid="261"></div> Giving us an insight into Bigg Boss' fandom, Gourav Rakshit, COO – Viacom18 Digital Ventures said, "Bigg Boss is more than just a show for its fans across India. It is a way of life. Bigg Boss’ fans are committed and dedicated and are also ambassadors of the show in some form or another, online as well as offline. The fans are a testimony to the success of Bigg Boss beyond TV. The playbook gives advertisers and brand owners an insight and deeper understanding into the behavior of these unique Bigg Boss fans on the digital platform which is extremely interesting and intriguing from a brand and advertising standpoint." Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab were the top four states to watch Bigg Boss Season 13. 5 lakh minutes of Bigg Boss was streamed in Andaman and Nicobar islands and Lakshadweep. <div type="image" title="bigg boss top states" msid="77609568" hostid="261"></div> Voot has seen a 66% increase in viewership for its exclusives and audience watching full episodes. Not just the original episodes, Indians are also watching Unseen, Behind-the-scenes clips. ‘Hotness by the pool’ and ‘Shukla Ji Ka Giddha’ were the top most watched exclusive episodes on Voot. <div type="image" title="bigg boss cringe" msid="77609577" hostid="261"></div> Voot also saw its social media engagement hiking up. It witnessed 985+ campaign impressions, 11 million views on #AsliFan anthem and 16.8+ million views on #AsliFan stickers. It wasn’t just viewers, brands were interested in associating with Bigg Boss, too as it saw the highest number of sponsors. <div type="image" title="bigg boss sponsors" msid="77609588" hostid="261"></div>

Bigg Boss Season 13 records its highest viewership ever, indicating Indians still haven't gotten enough of the show

The year 2014 is just two days old, marking the beginning of yet another <keyword id="89477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gregorian-calendar">Gregorian calendar</keyword> 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 <keyword id="471694" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-Year-festivities">New Year festivities</keyword>, celebrated from <keyword id="6354495" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> to Kanyakumari, from the <keyword id="53478" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="North-East">north-east</keyword> to the western coast. 
 Interestingly, both the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and the previous <keyword id="89476" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Julian-calendar">Julian calendar</keyword> (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 <keyword id="47282" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="march">March</keyword> 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 <keyword id="1998432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sakabda">Sakabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1998433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saka-calendar">Saka calendar</keyword>. 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 <keyword id="1998435" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bangabda">Bangabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1282409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bengali-calendar">Bengali Calendar</keyword>, a <keyword id="1998436" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-calendar">solar calendar</keyword> started by Mughal emperor <keyword id="6363995" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Akbar">Akbar</keyword> in 1584 AD. Then there is the <keyword id="1998437" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hijri-New-Year">Hijri New Year</keyword>, also known as the <keyword id="1926173" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Islamic-new-year">Islamic New Year</keyword>, which started in 610 AD when <keyword id="6358086" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prophet-Muhammad">Prophet Muhammad</keyword> migrated from Mecca to <keyword id="89362" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Medina">Medina</keyword>. 
 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 <keyword id="368788" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitra">Chaitra</keyword> and <keyword id="1998439" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Baishakh">Baishakh</keyword> (March-April). Here’s a quick look at the key events. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="4349969" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navreh">Navreh</keyword> – Kashmir: Let us start with Navreh, the New Year’s Day in the <keyword id="911185" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lunar-calendar">lunar calendar</keyword> and observed on the <keyword id="1998440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shukla-Pratipada">Shukla Pratipada</keyword> (first day of the waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March-April). It is the <keyword id="1998441" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Oldest-New-Year-celebration">oldest New Year celebration</keyword>, and finds mention in historical works such as Nilamat Purana, <keyword id="1998443" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalhana">Kalhana</keyword>’s <keyword id="1998442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajtarangini">Rajtarangini</keyword> and Persian scholar <keyword id="1792427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Al-Biruni">Al-Biruni</keyword>’s writing. Each household prepares the ‘<keyword id="1998444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-thali">holi thali</keyword>’ with great care, containing food, flower and other essentials, and it is viewed at the dawn of Navreh while family members pray for <keyword id="6383453" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wealth">wealth</keyword>, knowledge and <keyword id="23119" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="good-luck">good luck</keyword>. From this day, <keyword id="1998445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nav-Durga-Puja">Nav Durga Puja</keyword> or <keyword id="31525" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navratra">Navratra</keyword> also begins in Kashmir and continues for 9 days. 
 
<keyword id="1296432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitti">Chaitti</keyword> – <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword>: In this hill state, the New Year’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra according to the <keyword id="1998446" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vikrami-calendar">Vikrami calendar</keyword> and festivals such as <keyword id="48284" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="navratri">Navratri</keyword> and <keyword id="1998448" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ralli-Puja">Ralli Puja</keyword> 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. 
 
<keyword id="42862" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ugadi">Ugadi</keyword> – <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>: 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 <keyword id="202308" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rangoli">rangoli</keyword> designs; Panchanga or the <keyword id="1998452" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Religious-almanac">religious almanac</keyword> is recited and puja offerings are made for a prosperous New Year. Ugadi <keyword id="758269" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pachadi">pachadi</keyword>, the traditional dish of six flavours made of <keyword id="6441002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="neem">neem</keyword>, <keyword id="137842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jaggery">jaggery</keyword> &amp; banana, salt, green chilli/pepper, tamarind juice and unripe mango, is also relished on this occasion to acknowledge six different aspects of life. 
 
<keyword id="608876" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gudhi-Padva">Gudhi Padva</keyword> – <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="826" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword>: 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 <keyword id="1808323" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bamboo-pole">bamboo pole</keyword> and an upside down brass/silver pot fitted on the top. A day after Gudhi Padva, <keyword id="127745" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheti-Chand">Cheti Chand</keyword> or the <keyword id="610532" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sindhi-New-Year">Sindhi New Year</keyword> is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of <keyword id="1998458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishtadeva-Uderolal">Ishtadeva Uderolal</keyword> or <keyword id="987886" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jhulelal">Jhulelal</keyword>, the patron saint of the Sindhis. Lord Varuna, the water god, is also worshipped on this day, followed by <keyword id="6771793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="feasting">feasting</keyword> and <keyword id="240265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="devotional-music">devotional music</keyword>. 
 
Varuda Pirappu/Puthandu – <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword>: Held in mid-April, the <keyword id="6407830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-New-Year">Tamil New Year</keyword>’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, which is the first month of the traditional <keyword id="525554" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-calendar">Tamil calendar</keyword>. Just like Navreh, the day begins with <keyword id="1998464" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auspicious-sighting">auspicious sighting</keyword> or <keyword id="1009356" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="kanni">Kanni</keyword>, as people <keyword id="1873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Worship">worship</keyword> <keyword id="13726" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="rice">rice</keyword> &amp; farm products, <keyword id="119992" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="precious-metals">precious metals</keyword> and <keyword id="1246513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-clothes">new clothes</keyword>. 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 <keyword id="73094" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prosperity">prosperity</keyword> and <keyword id="800742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="fulfillment">fulfillment</keyword>. It is followed by the <keyword id="1998469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Almanac-worship">almanac worship</keyword> called <keyword id="1998471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Panchanga-Puja">Panchanga Puja</keyword>. And the festive meal features pachadi, fruits and payasam or dessert. 
 
<keyword id="345699" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vishu">Vishu</keyword> – <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>: Vishu is the <keyword id="1010370" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Malayalam-New-Year">Malayalam New Year</keyword>’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; <keyword id="51941" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="firecrackers">firecrackers</keyword> are burst and an elaborate <keyword id="1998461" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Festive-lunch">festive lunch</keyword> called <keyword id="1998473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sadya">sadya</keyword> is served. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="1334751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Poila-Baishakh">Poila Baishakh</keyword> – <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>: The Bengali New Year’s Day is celebrated in the month of Baishakh (mostly on <keyword id="6364510" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="april">April</keyword> 14). Also known as <keyword id="989326" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Naba-Barsha">Naba Barsha</keyword>, <keyword id="27928" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lord-Ganesha">Lord Ganesha</keyword> and <keyword id="462664" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Lakshmi">Goddess Lakshmi</keyword>, deities of wealth, are worshipped on this day while businesses open fresh ledgers known as <keyword id="1998474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Haal-Khata">Haal Khata</keyword>. Feasting, festivities and <keyword id="6409104" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="cultural-programmes">cultural programmes</keyword> are the main attractions here. <keyword id="1998475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maithili-New-Year">Maithili New Year</keyword> <keyword id="1998426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Juri-Sheetal">Juri Sheetal</keyword> is also celebrated on this day. 
 
<keyword id="1998425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maha-Vishuva-Sankranti">Maha Vishuva Sankranti</keyword> – <keyword id="6357961" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Odisha">Odisha</keyword>: In neighbouring Odisha, the New Year’s Day is also known as <keyword id="1998476" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana-Sankranit">Pana Sankranit</keyword> or <keyword id="1998424" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jala-Sankranti">Jala Sankranti</keyword> or <keyword id="1998427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mesha-Sankranti">Mesha Sankranti</keyword> 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 <keyword id="1998477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana">Pana</keyword> is made using fruits, card, milk, water and sugar/jaggery and bestowed as <keyword id="1998478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Puja-offering">puja offering</keyword>. People also drink Pana and water is offered to all, even to birds and animals, for a month. Throughout this period, <keyword id="1998479" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Hingula">Goddess Hingula</keyword> is worshipped for driving the evil away. Devotees often keep fast and perform penances as part of the rituals. 
 
Rongali/Bohag Bihu – <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword>: 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; <keyword id="974604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="festive-food">festive food</keyword> 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 <keyword id="1998481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihu-songs">Bihu songs</keyword> &amp; dances make it the perfect season for jollity and merriment. 
 
<keyword id="1998480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheiraoba">Cheiraoba</keyword> – <keyword id="6359754" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manipur">Manipur</keyword>: 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 – <keyword id="6354953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjab">Punjab</keyword>: Traditionally a <keyword id="404010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harvest-festival">harvest festival</keyword>, the <keyword id="1011009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi-New-Year">Punjabi New Year</keyword>’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 <keyword id="81001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sikh-community">Sikh community</keyword> as well since they celebrate the day in honor of the 10th guru, <keyword id="138545" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Guru-Gobind-Singh">Guru Gobind Singh</keyword>, who did away with the <keyword id="6434481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Caste-System">caste system</keyword>. Otherwise, fun, food and <keyword id="1998485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Country-dances">country dances</keyword> like <keyword id="6920" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhangra">Bhangra</keyword> and <keyword id="465865" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="giddha">Giddha</keyword>, keeping time with the beats of dhols and drums, mark this occasion. 
 
<keyword id="585610" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bestu-Varas">Bestu Varas</keyword> – <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>: 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 <keyword id="6376330" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kartik">Kartik</keyword> (October-November) and houses are splendidly decked up with <keyword id="5823" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flowers">flowers</keyword>, rangoli and torans (door hangings). Pujas are offered; New Year <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> 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 <keyword id="107294" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="farsan">farsan</keyword>. 
 
Images: Wikipedia

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

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Basement Bhangra was founded in 1997 as an inclusive dance party for South Asians in New York.</li><li>The club became a space for experimentation of music from the diaspora.</li></ul>On a sweltering, sticky Saturday in New York City, Central Park was packed full of thousands of South Asians who were ready to throw down.On August 6, Basement Bhangra — the now-defunct dance party founded by DJ Rekha in 1997 — celebrated its 25th anniversary with a revival party at Central Park's Summerstage co-produced by community leaders Jashima Wadehra and Pradeepa Jeevan.It was a party like no other. Younger South Asians danced the Giddha to the drum beat of a dhol, while toddlers and the elderly sat on grass fields, gathered together to celebrate their shared culture and heritage.<div type="image" title="A crowd at Basement Bhangra at Central Park's SummerStage, August 6, 2022." height="2000" width="2666" msid="93599333" hostid="261"></div>From its inception in 1997 throughout its 20 years, Basement Bhangra became an institution for New York City's South Asian community. DJ Rekha, a Queens-native, held court at SOB's, a nightclub in Lower Manhattan, spinning tracks late into the night for patrons of all ages to dance to."By example, I am visibly queer. And I had my own personal journey with that. That's a statement in itself," founder DJ Rekha, whose full name is Rekha Malhotra, explained to Insider. "What most people don't realize about the diaspora and dance music is that the earliest club nights were started by queer folks, and that part of our history is not necessarily acknowledged." Though it was shuttered in 2017, the dance party has become synonymous with diasporic history, marking itself as the backdrop for the coming of age of South Asians on the East Coast since the late 90s.<h2>The birth of Basement Bhangra</h2>Prior to living in the United States, Rekha spent some of their early years in London. Throughout the late 80s and early 90s, South Asian youth across Great Britain partied during the daytime at clubs and danced to Bhangra music, creating an underground South Asian rave-like scene. Not only did this allow South Asian youth to claim a safe space for themselves <a href="https://www.thefader.com/2017/01/10/british-asian-daytimers-history-riz-ahmed">at a time when discrimination in the UK was pervasive</a>, but it also opened doors for an entire generation of DJs in the diaspora.<div type="image" title="South Asian partygoers dancing at Basement Bhangra." height="1333" width="2000" msid="93599335" hostid="261"></div>Rekha began their career as a DJ in New York City the early 90s, spinning at Soca Paradise, an old nightclub that was a hub for Queens' Indo-Caribbean population during their early days. They would spin Chutney Soca, a hybrid genre of music popular in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. The sounds of Chutney Soca fuse Hindustani Classical with Western and Island elements. Instruments with deep history in South Asia, such as the harmonium and tabla, are often incorporated, with a mix of Hindi and English lyrics.The exposure from Rekha's early career spinning tracks for South Asian youth attracted organizers who asked them to create a themed club night. This eventually evolved into a monthly event, known as Basement Bhangra, which took place on the first Thursday of every month.Rekha said that they often received "racist" and "classist" directives from other clubs they DJ'd for."Don't play 'Black music' and don't play Bhangra. [It was] classist against Bhangra because that was seen as the music of cab drivers, the lower-wage workers of our community, and it was racist because they assumed 'Black music' would attract a different crowd," Rekha explained. As a DJ who would often spin songs that the audience wouldn't understand due to language barriers, Rekha began to recognize the importance of dance and movement in the songs they played. <h2>DJ Rekha's indelible mark</h2>Over the years, DJ Rekha has become a mentor to young, up-and-coming musicians of the diaspora. Basement Bhangra has birthed the careers of some of the South Asian diaspora's most gifted artists."DJ Rekha is legendary," Sikh Knowledge, a Canadian-Punjabi rapper who performed at the 25th anniversary Basement Bhangra party, told Insider. "Rekha made a space for queer Desis. A safe space for femme queer men, lesbian Punjabi women — you were safe there no matter how you presented." The musician first learned about Basement Bhangra through cultural programming when he was growing up in Toronto. On Sundays, Canadian television showed various cultural programming and spotlighted Basement Bhangra. Years later, Sikh Knowledge became a part of the show's long-running history.<div type="image" title="DJ Rekha at Basement Bhangra's revival at Summerstage, Central Park New York." height="2800" width="3733" msid="93599339" hostid="261"></div>The roster of artists that have performed at Basement Bhangra in its 25-year history is vast: Artists like Horsepowar, Madame Gandhi, Sikh Knowledge, and Panjabi MC, who penned the legendary Bhangra hit "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ilXc0j1iHA">Mundian To Bach Ke</a>" (famously remixed by Jay-Z), have graced the stage at the coveted event. At the 25th anniversary party, American Punjabi singer and rapper Jasmine Sandlas headlined and performed some of her biggest hits, including "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7_yY3yr-jE">Illegal Weapon</a>," which has garnered over half a billion views on Youtube.<h2>A space for creativity and experimentation</h2>True to its original founding ethos, Basement Bhangra also became a place where burgeoning South Asian musicians could experiment with new forms of expression."It was the first to really allow us to feel a space in the nightlife community, a space where you could actually get down to your own music from your own culture," Raaginder, an Indian violinist, told Insider.The unique blend of music emerging from the South Asian diaspora — like Raaginder's blend of Indian classical violin and hip hop — often elides a specific genre."My sound is an amalgamation of my upbringing in the diaspora," Raaginder said. "I'd listen to hip hop, Jay-Z, Kanye at school, and grew up singing and playing Indian drums and violin at home with my musician parents. I had this really cool intersection of two different worlds that I was living in and was inspired by."<div type="image" title="Raaginder Singh, an Indian violinist." height="1537" width="2048" msid="93599341" hostid="261"></div>Basement Bhangra not only cultivated a space that allowed for diverse music from an immigrant diaspora to flourish, but also exposed bands like Red Baraat, which fuses North Indian brass music with jazz, to more South Asian fans.Red Baraat didn't initially have a defined audience. It wasn't until they played some sets at Basement Bhangra that the band exploded in popularity among South Asian listeners."Rekha definitely put us in front of a large group of people who probably didn't hear about us, hardcore Punjabis who were ready to throw down," Sunny Jain, Red Baraat's founder and dhol player, said.<h2>The next generation of music</h2>Basement Bhangra was pivotal in increasing South Asian representation in music, and artists said its legacy will have a lasting impact on the next generation of musicians in the diaspora."Having that representation is such a big thing, because you won't feel like you're doing this for the first time. That adds so much pressure," Raaginder said.Musicians told Insider the sense of being a part of a larger community of musicians will lead to more experimentation and vibrant new sounds from the next generation of South Asian creators."I feel like our moment is coming soon," Raaginder said. "The South Asian moment is knocking on the door."As for what's next, DJ Rekha has a clear idea of where they hope Basement Bhangra's legacy leads."There's two things," the DJ explained. "One, we, as South Asians, want access to the same things that everybody else has, and two, we should give everyone the same access. As much as it's great to see South Asian excellence in entertainment, I want to see us open doors for not only ourselves but for other groups as well."

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