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India’s cultural
diversity exemplifies its splendorous
beauty and majesty. There’s perhaps
not a single day in the Indian calendar
when a festival is not celebrated in
this vast country. Land replete with
rituals, color, feasting, music and
regional celebrations- Host of New Year
festivities unique to the particular
states is celebrated with much fanfare.
Naba Barsha Celebrations
Naba Barsha is Bengali New Year and
its celebrations include songs, dance,
music, cultural activities and feasting.
Womenfolk make elaborate Rangolis
or alpanas with flour in front of
the house. Earthenware pot filled
with holy water and mango leaves is
kept at the center, to dispel the
darkness. People visit dear ones,
wishing each other “Shubho Nabo
Barho.”
Gudi Padwa Celebrations
On New Year Maharashtrians clean
their houses prior to the festival.
Families gather and make regional
delicacies like ‘pura poli’
or sweet roti, ‘soonth pah’
and ‘usal’. ‘Gudis’
are hung outside the houses or in
the localities.
Ugadi Celebrations
Telugu New Year’s Day or ‘Ugadi’
is celebrated in different parts of
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
This day people decorate the entrance
of home with fresh mango leaves and
perform ritualistic worship of god
Kartik, invoking his blessings. Special
dishes are prepared with raw mango.
Puthundu Celebrations
‘Puthandu’ marks the Tamil
New Year’s Day. People of Tamil
Nadu wear new clothes and savor the
taste of festive food ‘Maanga
Pachadi’ made of raw mangoes,
jaggery and neem flowers. Families
and friends greet each other “Puthandu
Vazthukal.” Children receive
gifts from the elders of family. In
several places ‘Chitthirai Festival’
is celebrated and it marks the union
of Lord Sundareswarar with his consort
Goddess Meenakshi.
Vishu Celebrations
Vishu’ is Malayalese New Year
celebrated in Kerala on the new moon
day. They follow the interesting custom
of Vishukani or Kani Kanal (first
sight). Items like gold ornaments,
fresh white cloth, halved coconuts
and yellow cucumber are kept a big
pot along with the deity of Lord Krishna.
It’s the first auspicious thing
family members have to see in the
morning.
The flavors of celebrations may vary,
but New Year herald’s umpteenth
joys infusing love and laughter in
every heart and filling every home
with abounding happiness.
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