In India, New Year is not celebrated once but many times and each celebration is worth experiencing! Why? Because different cultures in the country observe the first day of the year at different times according to the traditional Hindu calendar. That’s also why you’ll notice Indians New Year celebrations in India to happen in the fourth month i.e., April.
From the fun-filled Baisakhi in Punjab to the harvest festival of Vishu in Kerala and the grand Ugadi festivities in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, every celebration is steeped in rituals, feasts, and folk performances. The local New Year traditions give you a glimpse into India’s cultural diversity. To know more about these festivals and how you can be a part of them, read along!
Local New Year Celebrations In India
- Navreh
- Baisakhi
- Gudi Padwa
- Bohag Bihu
- Ugadi
- Vishu
- Puthandu
1. Navreh
Starting from the top of the country, let’s first see how Navreh, or New Year, is celebrated in Kashmir. This term comes from two Sanskrit words, Nav and Varsha, each of the words meaning New and Year, respectively. The time and date of this festival vary because Navreh is ideally celebrated in the Chaitra month according to the Indian calendar which corresponds to March and April in the Gregorian Calendar.
On this day Kashmiris worship Goddess Sharika, and the festival is marked with a loud celebration of dance and music. One of the key features of Navreh is observing a thali of raw rice, curd, salt, sugar candy, almonds, silver coins, pen, flowers, and the new panchanga (Hindu Calendar) first thing in the morning after keeping it overnight in the temple at home.
2. Baisakhi
Next, going a little lower on the left, Baisakhi is an important harvest festival mainly celebrated in Punjab and parts of Haryana. It marks the onset of the reaping of rabi crops and is essentially a day of praying for a good harvest season. This falls in April every year and is a festival with deep cultural and religious importance to the Sikhs. People dress up in traditional attire on this day, visit gurdwaras to offer prayers, and participate in Nagar Kirtans – processions with devotional singing and martial displays.
The celebrations continue with folk dances like bhangra and giddha, folk music, and community feasts where people gather to share traditional Punjabi dishes. You can also witness villages organizing fairs with rides, games, and various stalls of local handicrafts.
3. Gudi Padwa
Come to Maharashtra and you’ll see another New Year celebration called Gudi Padwa among Marathi and Konkani folks. Being on the first day of the Chaitra in the Hindu or April in the Gregorian Calendars, it’s believed to be the starting point of spring. Did you know that in the olden times, this festival was also used to celebrate the legend of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through parades, folk dances, and cultural performances?
The name comes from Gudi, a decorated pole adorned with bright clothes, neem leaves, garlands, and an upside-down silver or copper pot placed on top. This doll, thus made, signifies prosperity and victory. Families put this Gudi outside their homes or windows to ward off evil and invite good luck for the new year.
Celebrations begin in the early hours of the day with an oil bath and later preparing special dishes like puran poli, shrikhand, and neem chutney representing bitter-sweet life. This is a common phenomenon you’ll observe in local New Year traditions across India. They also visit temples and seek prayers and blessings from god for health and prosperity.
4. Bohag Bihu
Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu is most commonly the Assamese New Year. Generally celebrated in mid-April, the festival is said to mark the onset of spring, which also signifies a productive harvest season. For 7 days, people conduct various ceremonies during this festival. Fun fact? Through the course of Bohag Bihu, everyone bathes in a paste made from raw turmeric and urad dal, a type of lentil.
The third day is known as Goru Bihu, when cattle – the most essential part of agricultural life, is bathed and worshiped. Manuh Bihu comes next, when everyone wears new clothes, prepares traditional sweets, and visits friends and family. Needless to say, all the days come with folklore, music, and of course, the Bihu dance. This festival captures the spirits of Assam including agricultural and cultural richness and the warmth of community gathering.
5. Ugadi
Now that we’re entering into the South of the country, let’s start with Ugadi. This festival initiates a new Hindu lunar calendar and corresponds to April in the English calendar. Derived from the Sanskrit words Yuga and Adi meaning age and beginning respectively, Ugadi signifies a fresh start and is observed with great fervor across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.
Ugadi is celebrated by waking up before dawn, taking an oil bath, and cleaning and decorating houses with gigantic rangolis on the ground. Families go to temples to seek blessings for prosperity and happiness for the coming year.
The tradition is uniquely marked by the Ugadi Pachadi, a special dish combining six different tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and tangy. Each of these symbolizes the various experiences of life. This is also a reminder to take in different emotions and face challenges with a brave heart.
6. Vishu
The local New Year tradition in Kerala is known as Vishu. It’s the favorite festival of all the younger siblings because of all the Vishu Kaineetam, money, or gifts they receive from the elders. It falls in mid-April and signifies the beginning of a new agricultural year.
One eye-catching ritual is the Vishu Kani – a combination of rice, fruits, flowers, gold, a mirror, and Lord Krishna’s photo placed in a large bowl in the temple at home. All family members see this bowl first thing at dawn because it is auspicious. Another popular ritual is the Vishu Sadya – a festive feast with several traditional dishes served on a huge banana leaf. With fireworks, new clothes, and the distribution of Vishu Kaineetam, this festival is a cherished celebration in the state.
7. Puthandu
Puthandu is the Tamil New Year. It’s falls in mid-April and depicts a new, auspicious beginning of prosperity and good health. Traditional meals, including the festive dish mango pachadi, are made on this day.
You’ll also commonly see families visiting temples on Puthandu and witness a large number of people performing cultural programs inside the temple on this day. Puthandu besides marking the New Year is a festival to showcase all the glorious heritage of Tamil culture.
Summing Up
Be it Kashmir at the top, or Kerala at the bottom, New Year is an occasion that unifies everybody as it renews faith, hope, and the wish for a healthy, and wealthy year. And to truly experience the sheer joy of each region, you really should travel to these places. Pick your favorite from our list of New Year celebrations in India and get going!
FAQs
What Is Celebrated On December 31 In India?
India celebrates New Year on December 31. It’s the last day of the year and you can see people partying and spending quality time with close ones.
How To Celebrate New Year In India?
You can celebrate New Year in India by visiting clubs or by hosting house parties. Both include lots of dancing, singing, feasting on delicious food, and enjoying a merry time with close ones.
How Many Times India Celebrate New Year?
In India, during Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar, in different regions, people celebrate New Year differently. This differs from the Gregorian calendar.
Why Is Jan 1 A New Year?
New Year is on January 1st because it marks the beginning of the year as per the Gregorian Calendar.
