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
