Baisakhi, Bihu, and more: Marking new year across India
Different states in India observe different religious New Year festivals with unique traditions every year in the month of April based on the Hindu calendar. This year, three major festivals of Baisakhi, Bihu, and Tamil New Year will be celebrated on April 14 while Pohela Boishakh, or the Bengali New Year will be observed on April 15. Read on to know more!
Vaisakhi, or Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab
Baisakhi holds immense significance for Sikhs across the world. The festival commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa order in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh who was the tenth guru of Sikhism. The day also marks the beginning of the Sikh new year. It also welcomes spring and the new harvest season. People visit gurdwaras and hold kirtans to celebrate the day.
Tamil New Year celebrations in different parts of the world
Also called Puthandu, Tamil New Year is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Mauritius, Reunion, Puducherry, and Malaysia. It marks the first day of the Tamil calendar and it is believed that Lord Brahma began the creation of the Universe on this day. On this occasion, people take herbal baths, decorate their houses, read "Panchangam" and prepare a special dish called pachadi.
Pohela Boishakh celebrations in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh
Pohela Boishakh or Bengali New Year will be celebrated on April 15 this year and it marks the first day of the Bengali calendar. It's an important occasion for the Bengali community and is widely celebrated in Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, and Bangladesh. On this day, Bengalis organize Prabhat Pheri and Boishakhi rallies, and shopkeepers practice Haal khata (opening of new business ledger books).
Bihu celebrations in Assam
Also called Assamese New Year, Bihu is celebrated with great zeal and fervor in northeast India, especially in Assam. It marks the beginning of the new harvest season and is the first day of the Hindu solar calendar. This year, the festival will start on April 14 and end on April 16. It is widely celebrated by the farmer community of the country.
