Indian New Year's days

Owing to the vast cultural and ethnic diversity of India, New Year's day is celebrated in different times of the year at different places. This article is about the various New Year's days celebrated in India.

Ugadi

Ugadi is celebrated as New Year's Day in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The name Ugadi is derived from the name "Yuga Adi", which means 'the beginning of a new age'. [ [http://www.udupipages.com/home/festival/ugadi.html Ugadi at udipipages.com] ] . It is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month "Chaitra", which marks the onset of spring. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator according to Hindu mythology, began creation on this day. [ [http://festivals.tajonline.com/ugadi.php Ugadi at tajonline.com] ] .Preparations begin well ahead of the festival. Houses are given a thorough cleaning, people don new clothes and special dishes are prepared.

Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is celebrated as New Year's Day in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on the same day as Ugadi i.e., the first day of the month "Chaitra". Courtyards of rural houses are cleaned and plastered with fresh cowdung. Designs called Rangolis are drawn on doorsteps. People wear new clothes and special dishes are prepared. Lord Brahma is worshiped on this day and the "gudi", Brahma’s flag (also called "Brahmadhvaj") is hoisted in every house as a symbolic representation of Rama’s victory over Ravana.

Puthandu

Puthandu, ( _ta. புத்தாண்டு) also known as "Varusha pirappu", is celebrated as New Year's Day in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month "Chithirai", which falls on the 13^th or 14^th of April. Women draw patterns called "kolams". A lamp called a "kuttuvilaku" is placed on the center of the "kolam", to eradicate darkness. A ritual called "kanni" takes place. "Kanni" means 'auspicious sight'. People watch jewellery, fruits, vegetables, flowers, nuts, rice etc., as it is a belief among Tamil people that it brings prosperity. People wear new clothes and special dishes are prepared for the occasion. A car festival is held at Tiruvadamarudur, near Kumbakonam.

Vishu

Vishu (Malayalam: വിഷു) is celebrated as New Year's Day in Kerela. It is celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. Offerings to the divine called "Vishukanni" are neatly arranged on the eve of the festival and consist of rice, linen, cucumber, betel leaves, holy texts, coins and yellow flowers called "konna" (Cassia fistula). A bell metal lamp called "nilavilakku" is placed alongside. It is considered auspicious to see the "Vishukanni" first thing in the morning. On this day, people read the Ramayana and go to the temples, the Hindu places of worship. Children burst crackers, people wear new clothes and prepare special dishes and the elders of the house give out money to the children, servants and tenants.

Notes

References

* [http://www.udupipages.com/home/festival/ugadi.html Ugadi at udipipages.com]
* [http://festivals.tajonline.com/ugadi.php Ugadi at tajonline.com]
* [http://www.baisakhifestival.com/puthandu-in-tamil-nadu.html Puthandu at baisakhifestival.com]