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Hindu New Year is the time of joyous
festivities in full bloom. Signaling
the dawn of spring month: flowers
blossom in vividness, making an ambiance
that is, bright and lovable. To welcome
New Year, people do spring-cleaning
and decorate their homes to the premium.
Womenfolk and children work on intricate
Rangoli designs filled with vibrant
hues on their doorsteps, mirroring
the burst of spring colors.
Naba Barsha Decorations
In West Bengal, womenfolk make elaborate
Rangolis or alpanas in front of house
on Naba Barsha. Rangolis are prepared
with flour and different colors. Earthenware
pot with pious Swastika sign is kept
at the center of Rangoli. This pot
is filled with holy water along with
mango leaves. It symbolizes a prosperous
year ahead for the family members.
Ugadi Decorations
Ugadi, Telugu New Year, is celebrated
in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The entrance of household is decorated
with fresh mango leaves. Legend says
it Kartik (or Subramanya) and Ganesha,
the two sons of Lord Siva and Parvathi
were fond of mangoes. Mango leaves
at the doorway signifies a good harvest
season and general well being. Colorful
floral designs on the ground are the
common sightseeing of the day. People
also splash fresh cow dung water on
the ground in front of their house.
Puthandu Decorations
People of Tamil Nadu, decorate their
homes with colorful ‘Kolam’
patterns. At the center of Kolam,
lamp is lit called ‘Kuthuvillakku’,
with a popular belief that it dispels
darkness and will enlighten life with
bountiful happiness.
Gudi Padwa Celebrations
On Gudi Padwa, Maharashtrians hang
‘gudis’ outside their house
and in the localities to ward off
evil and invite prosperity and good
luck. A 'gudi' is a pole on top of
which an upturned brass or silver
pot called a ‘kalash’ is
placed. The gudi is covered with a
colourful silk cloth and decorated
with coconuts, marigolds and mango
leaves signifying nature's bounty.
New Year decorations are ubiquitous,
core element of the celebrations.
It embellishes the house with tinge
of bright colors and happiness.
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