Achi news desk-
April is a month of new beginnings and joy. India is diverse and so are its people and the rituals they follow. The Hindu New Year is celebrated in the month of April in all the many regions of India.
India is a land of diversity, with different communities having different beliefs and following different traditions. It is the largest country where countless cultures blend seamlessly, but within this kaleidoscope of traditions, a common thread binds us to celebration. Take for example our New Year celebrations, observed across different parts of the country on different days of April, their rhythms reverberating almost synchronously. From the early hours, the prayers rise to the sky, melodies blend into graceful dances, and tables groan under the weight of culinary delights. Dressed in clothes that whisper of new beginnings, we pay respect to age-old customs, and honor our elders with reverence. In the bosom of the beautiful month of April, six different countries paint their own canvas of New Year celebrations, each with its own palette of unique traditions waiting to be revealed.
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Rongli Beho
Rongli Bihu heralds the beginning of a new year and the bountiful harvest season in Assam. In between the festivities, the graceful cadence of the bihu dance fills the air, accompanied by the aromas of delicacies such as "Pita" and "Lados" that stimulate the taste buds. Adorned in traditional attire, with women draped in the elegant sadar khala and men wearing the venerable dhoti and gamucha, the essence of heritage is palpable. This joyous event spans several days, each imbued with its own unique meaning, weaving tradition and celebration together as stage shows are organized across the country.
Puttando
In Tamil Nadu, the arrival of the new year is known as Puthandu or Chittirai Vishu in some regions, which incorporates a tradition to welcome auspicious beginnings. Reflecting Kerala customs, families carefully arrange a tray decorated with symbols of prosperity, the first sight of which is believed to bring fortune and abundance for the coming year. Vibrant kolams, made of colored rice flour, adorn the threshold of houses, and imbue the atmosphere with an aura of festivity. Amidst this joyous atmosphere, epicurean delights like mangai-pachadi and avial tempt the palate, a culinary symphony that celebrates the richness of tradition and the promise of new beginnings.
Poila Boisach
As the Bengali New Year dawns, it marks the culmination of the harvest season and the beginning of a new chapter. Merchants spread the pages of the pure ledger, Haal Khata, preparing for the journey ahead. Inside the houses, a flurry of activity develops, as families meticulously clean their neighborhoods and decorate them with the intricate patterns of alpuna, made from a mixture of rice and flour. And true to their gastronomic reputation, Bengalis indulge in a symphony of flavors, relishing delectable delicacies and their famous sweets. Dressed in attire that speaks of renewal, they sway to the enchanting tunes of Rabindra Sanjeet, weaving together moments of joy and camaraderie with their loved ones, as they usher in the New Year together.
Back to Sankranti
Odisha’s Rosh Hashanah, popularly known as Panna Sankranti, takes place in a spectacle of splendor across the state. Congregational prayers and holy yagnas fill the air with divine grace, while the refreshing elixir of Pana, a nourishing drink, is distributed among the jubilant crowds, lending its name to the event. Central to the festivities is the poignant ceremony of Basudhara theki, a symbolic gesture of humanity’s reliance on the beneficent rains to protect it from the unrelenting heat of the sun. Between celebrations, Chattua or Sattu, a local delicacy, is enjoyed and generously distributed, fostering a sense of community and abundance. The streets come alive with lively performances, a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds heralding the arrival of the new year in all its glory.
And Jesus
This auspicious day commemorates the arrival of the vernal equinox, a time of renewal and spiritual renewal in Kerala. Locals flock to the temples, seeking the divine blessings during the Vishuchani Kazhacha ceremony. According to tradition, it is auspicious to see sacred items on this day, hence the Vishukani, a table that includes the deity Vishnu, Hindu scriptures, kunna flowers, coins, rice, golden lemons and other symbols of prosperity, carefully arranged for the family. friends to observe with the awakening.
Waisaki
In the vibrancy of Punjabi culture, the dawn of the New Year unfolds with glowing fervour. It is a day of homage to the divine, a grateful nod to the bountiful harvest, and an impassioned plea for blessings in the coming year. Adorned in hues that reflect the enthusiasm of their spirit, people engage in vigorous revelry, swaying to the rhythmic rhythms of bhangra and gida. In between the festivities, culinary delights beckon, as mad di roti, sarson ka sag, gajar ka halwa and lassi tempt the palate, a symphony of flavors celebrating the essence of Punjab’s culinary heritage.
