The Hindu calendar system is an ancient one; however, it has gone through many changes multiple times in the ravages of time. By nature the Hindu calendar system follows the luni solar pattern.
The dates of a Hindu calendar are calculated by following a panchanga or panjika (almanac) which is a store house of meticulous details about the positioning of the celestial bodies. Consequently the dates as per the Hindu almanac do not match with those of the modern day calendar, and the sates keep varying from one year to the next as per the Gregorian calendar.
Hindu New Year celebration is one where typically people begin the day by worshipping deities, more often than not, Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi, in the belief that the New Year would bring the people peace and prosperity.
This is the time for people to spring clean their homes and decorate them too, merriment and gaiety give all homes a festive fervor, prepare various sweets and savory items, buy and wear new clothes, visit friends and family to meet and greet and also exchange gifts alongside. However this is a generic description of Hindu New Year celebration. Observances also vary from one region to the other since India is a land of socio cultural diversity.
- Punjab – Baisakhi – April 13, 2016 (Wednesday): Punjab’s New Year celebrations are as joyous and vibrant as the people of the State, and the celebration goes by the name of Baisakhi. The traditional greeting for the occasion in the native language is “Jatta aayi Baisakhi”. This day not only celebrates the advent of a New Year but also the bounty of harvest that the farmers of the land were blessed with. People dress up in colorful new clothing, participate in family or community bonfires and also dance the traditional Punjabi Bhangra. A number of fares also get organized for the occasion where visitors get to feel the vibes of the land. Handicrafts of the region and also food are available at the various stalls. Entertainment in the form of races, acrobatics, dances and wrestling keep the crowd enthralled.
- Assam - Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu -- April 13, 2016 (Wednesday): In Assam, the traditional New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Assamese month of Bohaag which typically dates sometime in the middle of April when plotted against the Gregorian calendar. The word Rongali has been derived from the word Rong which is Assamsese means color and symbolizes merriment and gaiety. This is celebrated for three days beginning on the last day of the last month of the year, called “Chait”.
- Bengal - Naba Barsha or Pôhela Boishakh – April 14, 2016 (Thursday):In Bengal the traditional New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Bengali month of Baisakh which typically dates sometime on the 14th or 15th day of the month of April as per the Gregorian calendar. This day is considered to be auspicious and it is believed that the way you spend the day would mark how you shall spend the rest of the year. This is also a day when people consider it auspicious to make new beginnings. Prayers are held at home and businesses. People wear new clothes, decorate homes, exchange sweets and greetings, and enjoy an elaborate feast.
- Tamil Nadu – Puthandu – April 14, 2016 (Thursday): The traditional Tamil New Year is also about making fresh new beginnings, and eradication of all that is dark and evil to welcome all that is good and illuminating. Just for symbolically representing this idea, in every home people light a lamp during the Tamil New Year celebrations. This lamp is known as Kuthuvillakku. It is typically placed before the decorative motifs known as Kolams that the women draw to decorate the homes. Some people call this occasion by the name of Varusha pirappu. Traditional Tamil New Year is observed on the first day of the traditional Tamil month known as Chithirai. Another form of tradition observed for this occasion is feeding the ants. Kolams actually serve a dual purpose. Kolams are made of rice powder or paste along with natural colors. They make the homes look beautiful and also become the food for the ants. Feeding of the ants is the symbolic representation of the fact that one should adhere to the principle of live and let live and encompass the well being of all fellow living beings.
- Kerala – Vishu – April 14, 2016 (Thursday): This day is celebrated on the traditional Malayalam month that goes by the name of Medam. The two most auspicious observances for the occasion are Vishukkaineetam and Vishukanni. The first one is the ritual where the elders of the family make a gift of money to children, tenants and servants. The latter is the ritual of auspicious sighting first thing in the morning, which is believed to bring in good luck. A special feast is also prepared for the occasion, and traditionally includes two items apart from the variable others; they are -- Mampazhapachadi (a sour mango soup) and Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation where the main ingredient is neem).
- Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka – Ugadi -- April 08, 2016 (Friday): Literally translated, the word “Ugadi” means “A New Age”, and people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka mark a New Year as an opportunity to make fresh new beginnings. They too believe that this is the day when the Universe came into existence as created by Lord Bhrahma.
- Maharashtra – Gudi Padwa -- April 08, 2016 (Friday): In Maharashtra, the traditional New Year goes by the name of Gudi Padwa, and the people of Maharashtra believe that this day commemorates the creation of the Universe by Lord Brahma. The day also signifies valor, and the victory of what is good over what is evil.
- Kashmir – Navreh -- April 07, 2016 (Thursday): This day is celebrated according to the traditional lunar calendar that is followed by the Hindus in Kashmir. The celebration of this day dates to ancient times and its mention can even be found in sacred texts like Rajtarangini and Nilamat Purana.
- Orissa – Maha Vishuva Sankranti -- April 13, 2016 (Wednesday): This is a day when the people in Orissa mark the beginning of the traditional New Year by worshipping the deities and seeking their blessings. It is a common custom to offer a fruit based drink to the Gods on this occasion which is known as “pana”.