Hindu New Year is celebrated on different dates depending on the region and the traditional Hindu calendar followed. The most widely recognized Hindu New Year is called “Vikram Samvat” and is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. The day is also known as “Gudi Padwa” in Maharashtra, “Ugadi” in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, and “Navreh” in Kashmir. During this festival, people decorate their homes with rangolis, flowers, and mango leaves, and prepare special traditional dishes. It is believed that starting new ventures or important activities during this time brings good luck and prosperity.
Vikram Samvat, there are other New Year celebrations in the Hindu calendar. For instance, the “Nanakshahi” New Year is celebrated by the Sikh community on April 14th, which marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. Similarly, the “Sindhi” New Year is celebrated as “Cheti Chand” by the Sindhi community in March-April, and the “Bengali” New Year is celebrated as “Poila Boishakh” in mid-April.
The Hindu New Year signifies the beginning of a new cycle of life and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy across India. People clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and rangolis to welcome the New Year. They also perform traditional rituals, such as worshipping deities, lighting lamps, and offering prayers to seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead. The day is also marked by social gatherings, feasts, and exchange of gifts and sweets among family and friends.
Overall, the Hindu New Year is an important cultural and religious festival in India that brings people together and inspires them to start afresh with renewed hope, positivity, and optimism.