April is the month of new beginnings and rejoicement. India is diverse and so are its people and the rituals they follow. The Hindu New Year is celebrated in the month of April throughout the many regions in India.
India is a land of diversity, with different communities having different beliefs and following different traditions. This is the largest country where myriad cultures interlace seamlessly, yet amidst this kaleidoscope of traditions, a common thread binds us in celebration. Take for instance our New Year festivities, which are observed across different regions of the country on different days of April, their rhythms resonating almost synchronously. From the earliest hours, prayers ascend to the heavens, melodies intertwine with graceful dances, and tables groan under the weight of culinary delights. Clad in garments that whisper of new beginnings, we pay homage to time-honoured customs, honouring our elders with reverence. In the embrace of the beautiful month of April, six distinct states paint their own canvas of New Year celebrations, each with its own palette of unique traditions waiting to be unveiled.
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Rongali Bihu
Rongali Bihu heralds the onset of a fresh year and the bountiful harvest season in Assam. Amidst the festivities, the graceful cadence of the Bihu dance fills the air, accompanied by the aromas of delicacies such as "Pitha" and "laddos" that tantalize the taste buds. Adorned in traditional attire, with women draped in the elegant saadar mekhela and men donning the dignified dhoti and gamocha, the essence of heritage is palpable. This jubilant occasion extends over several days, each imbued with its own unique significance, weaving tradition and celebration together as stage performances are organised throughout the state.
Puthandu
In Tamil Nadu, the advent of the New Year, is known as Puthandu or Chittirai Vishu in certain regions, which entwines tradition to welcome auspicious beginnings. Mirroring the customs of Kerala, families meticulously arrange a tray adorned with symbols of prosperity, the first sight of which is believed to usher in fortune and abundance for the year ahead. Vibrant kolams, crafted from colorful rice flour, grace the thresholds of homes, infusing the atmosphere with an aura of festivity. Amidst this joyous ambiance, epicurean delights such as mangai-pachadi and aviyal tempt the palate, a culinary symphony celebrating the richness of tradition and the promise of new beginnings.
Poila Boisakh
As the Bengali New Year dawns, it marks the culmination of the harvest season and the genesis of a fresh chapter. Traders unfurl the pages of a pristine ledger, the Haal Khaata, preparing for the journey ahead. Within homes, a flurry of activity ensues, as families meticulously cleanse their abodes and adorn them with the intricate patterns of alpona, crafted from a blend of rice and flour. And true to their gastronomic reputation, Bengalis indulge in a symphony of flavors, savoring delectable delicacies and their famed confections. Draped in attire that speaks of renewal, they sway to the enchanting melodies of Rabindra Sangeet, weaving together moments of joy and camaraderie with loved ones, as they usher in the New Year in unison.
Bishuva Sankranti
Popularly known as Pana Sankranti, the Odisha New Year unfolds in a spectacle of grandeur throughout the state. Communal prayers and sacred yagnas fill the air with divine grace, while the refreshing elixir of pana, a nutritious beverage, is shared among the jubilant throngs, lending its name to the occasion. Central to the festivities is the poignant ritual of Basudhara theki, a symbolic gesture of humanity's reliance on the benevolent rains to shield it from the sun's relentless heat. Amidst the celebrations, Chattua or Sattu, a local delicacy, is savored and distributed generously, fostering a sense of community and abundance. The streets come alive with vibrant performances, a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds heralding the arrival of the new year in all its splendor.
Vishu
This auspicious day commemorates the arrival of the spring equinox, a time of renewal and spiritual rejuvenation in Kerala. Locals flock to temples, seeking the blessings of the divine during the Vishukkani Kazhcha ceremony. According to tradition, it is auspicious to behold sacred items on this day, hence the Vishukkani, a tableau featuring the deity Vishnu, sacred Hindu scriptures, Konna flowers, coins, rice, golden lemons, and other symbols of prosperity, meticulously arranged for family members to behold upon awakening.
Vaisakhi
In the vibrancy of Punjabi culture, the dawn of the new year unfolds with resplendent fervour. It is a day of homage to the divine, a grateful nod to the abundance of the harvest, and a fervent plea for blessings in the year ahead. Bedecked in hues that mirror the exuberance of their spirits, people engage in spirited revelry, swaying to the rhythmic beats of Bhangra and Gidda. Amidst the festivities, culinary delights beckon, with makke di roti, sarson ka saag, gajar ka halwa, and lassi enticing the palate, a symphony of flavors celebrating the essence of Punjab's culinary heritage.