How and when is New Year celebrated in India?

Not all countries January 1 is considered the New Year. In India, the date changes annually depending on the Hindu calendar.

The New Year in the most mysterious country in the world, although it is called so, is very different from the holiday to which residents of other countries are accustomed. It is no coincidence that India is considered the New Year’s country in the world. New Year in India is celebrated in each state on different days.

Usually a traditional celebration in many regions begins on the first day of the month of caitra, that is, in the third decade of March. But the residents of Kashmir celebrate the New Year on March 10, the inhabitants of Andhra Pradesh - at the end of March, the Sikhs of Punjab - April 14, West Bengal and Assam officially celebrate it on April 15, in Kerala the celebration falls on August and September, in some regions - at the end of October and the beginning of November.

Indian youth living in large cities and guests of the country celebrate New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1. This tradition originated in the twentieth century and does not yet have established rites. It contains details of Western European culture and elements of national color. On the eve of the holiday, someone arranges a general cleaning of the house, gets rid of trash, burns old things. Others paint their skin with henna ornaments to attract good luck and happiness in the coming year.

India has a distinctive culture and a large number of religious movements. On holidays, it looks amazing: the roofs of houses attract people's attention with orange flags and lights. Some Indians garland their home.For many inhabitants of different continents, exotic India is associated with amazing aromas and vibrant colors. And in fact, Indian villages during the holidays are filled with marvelous fragrance. North Indians dress up and decorate themselves with fresh flowers. They prefer white, red, pink and purple shades.

Hindus believe that as you spend the holiday, it will be all year long. The celebration is quite colorful. Noisy fairs, carnival processions and theatrical performances are organized in squares and streets. At midnight, a ringing of bells rings and multicolored fireworks flare up everywhere. In the port cities at 12 a.m. they include ship sirens, notifying residents about the New Year.

The country celebrates several main types of the New Year. An important role in determining the date is played by the Indian lunar calendar. Some states celebrate it more than once during the year.

• In mid-January, nature awakens after the end of winter, and residents of the northern regions of India celebrate Lori Day. The date is the same as the old Russian New Year. On this day, it is customary to present gifts to each other.

• Kashmir State Celebrates New Year on March 10. Walks last more than a month.

• At the end of March and the first days of April, the New Year is celebrated at the Marathas and Konkans. The celebration begins on the first day of the arriving moon of the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. Usually the people of the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka regions have a grand festival. Villagers cover the walls of their homes with cow dung in anticipation of a happy year. In Indian cities, the cultural program of the celebration includes literary disputes, the presentation of prizes to writers and poets. Evenings and weekends host musical and dance events.

• Southerners celebrate Vishu, the day that follows the vernal equinox according to the Indian calendar. The astrological transition from the sign of Pisces to the Aries phase corresponds to the first day of the New Year. He is celebrated in Tamil Nadu in accordance with the original traditional rituals. People dress up in skirts made from dried banana leaves. Their faces hide masks.

• Sikhs celebrate the New Year on April 14 and dedicate it to the first day of the month of the solar calendar - Vaisakh Nanakshahi. Vaisaki is the favorite Sikh holiday. On this day, at the festive ceremony, solemnly read the postulates from the holy book of the Sikhs. Residents of Indian states, such as Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Orissa, are also guided by the Hindu solar calendar and officially celebrate the holiday on April 15th. In some regions of North India, a festive event is taking place these days associated with the ritual of bathing in the sacred river. New Year holidays coincide with the harvest. Harvest festival takes place in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.

• In Kerala, New Year coincides with the first day of the month of Chingam (from August 16 to September 15).

• Original traditions are inherent in the Diwali festival, which occurs simultaneously with the "Festival of Lights". Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated from late October to early December. Throughout the time, it is customary to give each other gifts and light fixtures. Even the Ganges River is all glowing from the lights floating in it.

Residents of India celebrate the New Year holidays noisy and fun. Mass festivities take place everywhere, songs are distributed everywhere. People dance and have fun until morning. Often, Indians are located on the banks of the river. There they lay out treats right on the sand and share food with others. A huge number of spices and spices on the New Year's table symbolizes abundance and wealth. According to tradition, Indians on this day avoid eating fish and meat dishes, so as not to anger their gods.It is customary to cook rice with vegetables, bread cakes, cheese pies, pickled fruits and vegetables in mustard oil.

During the celebration of the holiday of Vishu, the treats consist of the same amount of bitter, sweet, sour and salty foods. On the eve of the celebration is preparing special offer with cucumbers, rice and nuts. The oldest women offer them to Hindu deities. Together with the products, special mirrors, yellow flowers, sacred texts and coins are placed on the tray. A bronze lamp is placed near the offering.

After waking up in the early morning, all family members with their eyes closed make their way to the altar room. They believe that what they saw first will accompany them all year. And the read lines at random of an open page from the ancient Indian epic “Ramayana” will predict for them the events of the future.

In the central part of the country, during mass festivals, it is customary to fly kites, publicly burn stuffed animals or an elegantly decorated tree. Locals arrange competitions in archery, jump over a fire, walk on hot coals and stones. Participants in the celebration sprinkled themselves with colorful powders and watered with paints.

On holidays, it is strictly forbidden to be annoyed, rude and rude. In many Indian provinces, the year begins with the celebration of sacred cows. Especially for them, they prepare a special treat.

The ritual is giving gifts to poor relatives. New Year's gifts most often consist of baskets with fruits, nuts and fresh flowers. Children are presented with trays with sweets and beautiful fruit fruits, decorated with wonderful compositions of flowers.

The following video shows how the New Year is celebrated in India.