New Year celebrations in different States of India

In our country, India, festivals are very closely related to seasons and most New Year days coincide with the time of harvest. Although the difference lies in the following of the Lunar / Solar calendar by a particular region or community.

k

Following is a detailed description and information regarding the various New Year days across the Indian States 

Solar Calendar - 

In this calendar, the dates indicate the Sun's position in relation to the stars and it corresponds to the Seasons. Its first month is Vaishakh and generally starts on 14 or 15 April as per the Gregorian calendar.

The following are the dates, regions that use the Solar calendar to celebrate their New Year. 

13/14/15 April  ( 1 to 13 )

1. Mesha Sankranti

Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Jammu, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana

2. Vishu - Kerala

3. Chingam - Kerala as per Kollam era Calendar

4. Puthandu - Tamil Nadu

5. Buisu - Tripura 

6. Jur Sital - Mithila

7. Pohela Boishakh - West Bengal

8. Pana Sankranti - Odisha

9. Bohag Bihu - Assam

10. Sangken - Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam

11. Bizhu - Chakma

12. Bwisagu - Bodoland, Assam

13. Sajibu Cheiraoba - Manipur

14. Nowruz - Zoroastrians, 21 of March

Lunar Calendar

This calendar is widely used by the Hindus to calculate their festivals, harvest season etc. It is based on the cycles of the Moon, every month. 

Its first month is Chaitra and the New Year is celebrated on the first day of this month

As per Gregorian Calendar, it coincides with the months of March or April.

The following are the New Year days and the  States which celebrate their New Year as per the Lunar Calendar.

March / April ( 1 to 5 )

1. Gudi Padwa - Goa and Maharashtra

2. Ugadi - Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

3. Navreh - Kashmir

4. Chaitra Navratri - Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh

5. Cheti Chand - Sindhi Community ( Also the birthday of their Isht Dev, Jhulelal)

6. Ashadhi Bij - Kutch ( June / July ) second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashada month - when the rains arrive.

7. Losoong / Namsong - Sikkim, Bhutia and Lepcha ( December )

8. Losar- Arunachal Pradesh, Monpa ( February )

9. Tamu Lhosar - Sikkim, Gurung community  ( December / January )

10. Gyalpo Losar - Sikkim, Sherpa community ( December / January )

11. Sonam Losar - Sikkim, Tamang and Hyolmo community ( January / February )

12. Nutan Varsh - Gujarat ( October / November ) The day after Diwali, on Shukla Paksha Pratipada in the Hindu month of Kartik. 

13. Galdan Namchot - Ladakh ( December ) To commemorate the birth and the Buddhahood of Je Tsongkhapa (1357–1419 AD), a famous Scholar / Teacher of Tibetan Buddhism whose activities led to the formation of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

    
    
    

No matter the State, the celebrations have much religious significance and the New Year day is celebrated with prayers, devotion and a deep gratitude towards Nature that provides for the survival of life on Earth.

Images - www.reddit.com

Ganesh Chaturthi Utsav in Goa

 Ganesh Chaturthi Utsav in Goa.

 mage courtesy Google

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world.

The Ganesh festival is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals all over India and holds a special place in the hearts of Goan people. It is an occasion of fun and frolic, a time of cleaning and decorating the place of worship of the elephant headed God, who is very much revered amongst his humble devotees all over. More importantly, it brings about a reunion of family and friends, exchanging gifts and overall rejoicing to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesha.

There are various idols of Lord Ganesh in different shapes and sizes well adorned and installed in heavily decorated pandals by various merchant associations and other merchant groups in all the cities of Goa, the preparations for this much adored festival begins just at the culmination of the harvesting season or the holy month of Shravana. As per Hindu customs and traditions, Lord Ganesha idols are worshipped with due respect and devotion amidst a lot of gaiety and splendour for 1 1/2, 5, 7, 9 or 11 days in the month of Bhadrapada after which they are ceremonially immersed in big lakes or oceans. The immersion on thej day of Anant Chaturdashi marks the end of the most favourite festival of the Hindu people in Goa and all over.

The festival ushers in a season of joyous celebration all over Goa. Besides the religious significance, the festival is an occasion for family members to reunite and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. People of all communities visit their Hindu friends to join in the celebration.

Food during Ganesh Chaturthi.

This is the most auspicious and important festival of the Hindu community in Goa. Also known as Chovoth. The variety of food offer during this  auspicious festival 

Ukkadiche Modak

Image courtesy google

Modak are considered to be one of the favorite food of Lord Ganesha Ukkadiche Modak are made up of rice flour stuffed with cocount and jaggrey fillings  and than steamed.

Laddos 

Ladoos like coconut ladoo, besan ladoo and nevereos are also a popular snack. 

Delicious food is offered as a bhog to Ganeshji and than served to guest.

It's one of the best festival in India where helps to reunite family.

Holi - The Festival of Colours

 

Festival - Holi

Occurrence - Full moon day in the Hindu Month of Falgun ( March as per Gregorian calendar )

Duration - 2 days 

First Day - Holika Dahan ( Choti Holi )

Second Day - Rangwali Holi

Reason of Celebration - Start of the Spring, Victory of good over evil, Eternal and divine love of Radha and Krishna

The Hindu festival of Holi is called by many names; Festival of Spring, Festival of Colours, Festival of Eternal Love. It celebrates the victory of Lord Vishnu in the avatar of Narsimha Narayana over the King Hiranyakashipu. The story goes that the Asura King had ordered his sister Holika to place his Vishnu-devotee son, Prahlad and jump in a burning pyre so as to kill him. She had a cloak that protected her from fire but in this instance, Prahlad was saved due to his undying devotion for Lord Vishnu and Holika burnt to death. Subsequently, Hiranyakashipu is killed by the Narasimha avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Holi also celebrates the coming of the spring harvest. Today, the festival is celebrated over two days and on the first day a pyre is burnt with symbolic Holika and Prahlad in which Prahlad is removed to be saved. Appropriate prayers are performed and offerings put in the pyre. People go round the pyre praying for goodness, prosperity, victory of good over evil and blessings of Lord Vishnu.

The second day is more of a fun and frolic with people smearing each other with Abeer ( Gulal ) and spraying water over each other. Again this has scientific significance in that organic and indigenous colours applied to the skin prevent skin infections and spraying each other with water cools one down in the intense heat that is commencing with the end of winter. Unfortunately nowadays much use of chemical colors has become the norm. Music, songs and dance is a part of the second day celebrations. 

People make sweets like Gujiya, Puran Poli, Ladoos and Gheeyar to distribute to friends and family. A special drink, Thandai made from many spices and condiments like khus - khus, cardamom, black pepper, pistachios,rose petals etc is prepared as is Bhang that is made from cannabis leaves paste. It gives people a high and a sense of euphoria. Bhang ladoos, thandai, pakoras, pedas etc are extremely popular to consume especially in Mathura and North India.   In Mathura and Vrindavan the fervour of Holi is quite unique as Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan, the place where he spent his childhood.

In cities and modern times many get - togethers, family lunches, rain dances are arranged to have fun. 

It is all about fun, food and frolic and many a indiscretions, especially of smearing each other's faces with colours and dunking one in a pool of water etc, are forgiven by the mantra Bura na mano Holi hai ( बुरा न मानो होली है ) 

Images -

Holika Dhanan - www.jagran.com

Mathura Holi - www.tripoto.com

Gauri Ganpati festival, Maharashtra

 

Every year the state of Maharashtra bursts with joy and colour during the Ganeshotsav festival  that comes in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

Lord Ganesh is welcomed home and worshipped with all rituals, prayers, pomp and devotion. 

However, not many people know that on the third day of the festival Ma Gauri idol is also placed alongside his.

In many parts of India, Gauri is considered as Ma Parvati , the mother of Lord Ganesh. However, in Maharashtra, the belief prevalent is that she is Lord Ganesh's sister who has come to visit her brother. Hence, 2 idols of Gauri are placed by the idol of Lord Ganesh, the two idols symbolising two sisters.The elder sister is called Jyeshtha ( ज्येष्ठ ) Gauri while the younger one is called Kanishth ( कनिष्ठ ) Gauri. The idols can be human sized or even only the face. She comes for a visit lasting only 3 days. That means from the third to the fifth day of Ganeshotsav. 

The first day the idols are welcomed home with prayers. Gauri sthapan is performed as per all rituals and traditions. The full sized Gauri is dressed and bejeweled like a Maharashtrian married woman. The sari colours are mostly like a bride. Everything that a bride wears is put on her ; Bridal sari, Mangalsutra, Kumkum, Haldi, Necklaces, Dark green, red and gold bangles, Earrings, maang tika, rings, armlets, kamarband ( waist chain ) , anklets, toe rings, nose ring, Bindi and flower veni in her hair. 

On the second day, Satyanarayan Puja is performed by the womenfolk. Variety of prasad like ladoos, karanji, kheer, basundi, modak are offered to her.

Relatives, friends, neighbors are invited to pray and pay obeisance to her. As she is a married woman, she is believed to grant happiness in another married woman's life, be it a happy marriage or a blessing of a child etc. 

On the second day, a variety of naivedya is prepared by the women of the family along with help from their female friends and neighbors. No stone is left unturned in preparing a feast for her.

For she is visiting her maternal house and being the daughter of the family, she is to be pampered and indulged.

Rice, Roti, Puranpoli, Amil, vegetable dishes ranging from mixed veg, potatoes and brinjals to dry ones,  Koshimbir, Puris, fried papads, Bhajiya, Chutney etc are prepared. Everyone in the family, neighborhood, social circle is invited for her 'Darshan' and to partake in the feast. Devotees, especially married women, apply kumkum and haldi on her forehead, offer her blouse material, coconut, fruits, flowers and sweets. They pray for their wishes to be fulfilled. 

The third day is the day of her visarjan, that is immersion in a local water body. Accordingly prayers are performed and then she is left alone in the room with all the naivedya prepared for her; ladoo, modak, karanji, anarsa etc. The doors and windows are tightly shut so that no one watches her eat. After a while, the doors are opened to check the things she had. 

Later on, she is taken with all pomp, music , and dance in a procession along with her brother ( Fifth day Ganpati immersion ) or if the Ganpati idol is kept for more than five days, then only the Gauri immersion is to be performed.

Just like her brother's visit brings joy, happiness and prosperity in the devotees' family, so does it with Ma Gauri as well. She blesses them all with happiness, health, wealth and answers their prayers. She leaves her maternal home and promises to visit again next year.

( Picture courtesy -  Anju Bhagnari and Dr. Hitesha Rohira )

Bonderam Goa festival

 Bonderam Goa festival - the colourful festival of Goa

Although Goa is a small state of India . Biut, still itis famous for its festive culture.

When it comes to festivals, traditions, and celebrations Goans are most active people I believe. Everyone comes together to participate in the revelries be it Ganesh Chaturthi, San Joao, Diwali, Christmas, Saptah, Bonderam, Shigmo, Carnival, everyone loves to have a good time. Bonderam is one such festival not to be missed

The “Bonderam” festival is celebrated on the Island of Divar on the fourth Saturday of August every year. The word “Bonderam” originated from the involvement of flags. “Bandeira” is the Portuguese word for flag. It is stated that during the Portuguese rule in Goa there were frequent disputes between two sections of the Divar village, namely Sao Mathias and Piedade over property issues. These often led to violence and fights in the village. Subsequently, the PortuguesIt is believed that this island was once a place of Hindu pilgrimage. There were a 

The island is blessed with lush green fields and hills. During the rains, the entire place is beautified by its flora.

Every year at the Bonderam festival. The crowd assembles along either side of the main road of the Divar. The tempo is set by a band. The band is usually lofal. People wielding fake shields and swords engage in mock battles. The beautifully colored floats accompanied by colorfully dressed youngsters makes for quite a pretty picture.

This Island is only accessible by ferry which you can get at Old Goa. The island is 12 kms away from Panjim. If you do not have your own transport then you can either hire a car or call for a cab. If you are heading to Divar from North Goa (Candolim, Baga, Calangute, Mapusa) you can catch a bus to the main bus stop in Panjim and take a cab from there or see if your hotel has taxi options. If you are heading to Divar Island from the south (Margao, Vasco) you can use the shuttle service that will bring you to the main bus stop in Panjim. Once in Panjim, you can hire a cab. Please make sure you check for the current rates at your hotel or homestay

It is believed that this island was once a place of Hindu pilgrimage. There were a few temples situated here, Shree Saptakoteshwar, Shree Ganesh, and Shree Dwarkeshwar. The Hindus were requested to take the idol of Ganesh to Khandola, near Marcel, also under the Portuguese rule at the time.

So Don't miss this unique experience and enjoy Bonderam Festivle.

Sao Jao Festival of Goa

 Sao Jao Festival

Image credit-google.

Sao Jao Festival: 

Sao Joao is a joyous festival celebrated by the Catholics in North Goa. The devotees often dive in and even swim inside wells, in honor of St. John. Furthermore, this lively l is celebrated mostly by the young men in Goa.

There is so much of song, dance and merriment, you can’t help but get carried away with the heady spirit of the season. The music of the drums called the Ghumato  and the percussion instrument called the Kansallem can be so enticing that you can’t help but become one with all the joy surrounding you, you might even want to join the revellers and jump into a well with an ecstatic shout of “viva Sao Joao” as the villagers do

It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and is celebrated on June 24th as Sao Joao feast in Goa. The festival celebrations include villagers jumping into the wells, streams and ponds. This jump is to signify the joy that St. John felt when Jesus was born. During monsoons this event is the major attraction for tourists. Pool parties and private Sao Joao parties in Goa serve as a complete package of merriment and joy. Guests are made to wear crowns made of leaves and flowers called ‘Kopel’. Popular Goan food is served with music bands and dancers perform at various locations .

 So be present to enjoy this festival on June 24th Every year.

Festivals of Goa

 

Goa is a colourful palette of awesome  parties, Indian and Portuguese cultures, glorious churches, seafood, busy beaches, upbeat nightlife and yoga retreats.This pint-sized Goa is much more awesome than these treasure troves of joy because of its mind-boggling fairs and festivals.Goan life is incomplete without dancing, singing, and merrymaking. Festival tourism in Goa is really an essential part of Goan experience. From far, Goa looks like India’s most relaxed state, but fairs and festivals of Goa will show the mind-boggling and soul-soothing chaos of fun. The fairs and festivals give you yet another reason to visit this stunning coastal state.Tourists from all over the world come to Goa to blend in trance of colourful festivities that are celebrated here throughout the year.If you want to experience a different side of Goa which is energetic, where you don’t have to just relax and chill in peace, where you can dance and sing as much as you can, then festivals of Goa are waiting for you to delight your soul. There is really a huge list of fairs and festivals of Goa, but here for you is the list of only the most popular fairs and festivals of Goa to enjoy.

Some of the famous festivals of Goa are:

1.Goa Carnival-This is the most famous festival and is being celebrated since the 18th century.The carnival has colorful parades and enactment of mythologies. It's vibrant colors in the costumes, dances, and flags make it the most happening fest of Goa.

2.Sao Joao Festival-The Feast of St. John, the Baptist is celebrated on 24th June every year as thanksgiving for the arrival of monsoons.Sao Joao is a joyous festival celebrated by the Catholics in North Goa.

3.St.Francis Xavier Feast-The Feast of St.Francis Xavier is celebrated annually on December 3rd in Goa to honour the memory of St.Francis Xavier.The atmosphere of Goa during the festival is truly dynamic, as thousands of people come together to pay their respects to the saint and enjoy the festivities.

4.Bonderam-This is the most happening festival celebrated on a grand scale on the island of Divar. there is a fancy-dress competition which is followed by the traditional float parade. This is followed by a live band performance by the famous music bands of Goa.

5.Goa Arts And Literary Festival-The event is organized by ICG in association with the Goa Writers' Group, with support from the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa.

6.Goa Sunburn FestivaMany enthusiasts across the globe throng Goa during this festival and have the time of their lives. The festival offers music, entertainment, food and shopping.

7.Grape Escapade-The Grape Escapade is a unique festival in Goa offering an experience a blend of fine wine, lifestyle, haute cuisine and entertainment over 4 days in January Every year.There is wine tasting, entertainment acts, fashion shows and a beauty contest that are central features of the festival.

Lohri - The Harvest Festival of Punjab

The harvest festival of Punjab is Lohri. Celebrated with lots of pomp and show with Bonfire, song and dance of Bhangra and Gidda. Lohri is the celebration of the shortest day of the year and that is the main reason a bon fire is lit. Lohri marks the end of winter and the onset of summer. Lohri is celebrated the day prior to Makara sankaranthi. This is also the last of the financial year of the Punjabis. Lohri rents are collected and new agricultural aggrements are made.

What people do normally on Lohri?
During the day, the kids go to every house and sing folk songs. Those kids are given sweets, savouries and money too. The kids are regarded highly on this day and so it is regarded inauspicious to send them back empty handed. The collections include sesame seeds, crystal sugar, jaggery, peanuts and corn. It is then distributed to all during the bonfire. And little of these items are thrown into the fire too.

Though all the people of Punjab celebrate Lohri, the lighting of bonfire differes from location to location. Some parts sing songs in praise of Lohri goddess and some normal folklore songs. The bonfire is light at the sunset in the village square and people toss sesame seeds, jaggery, sugar candy, popcorn into it and sing and dance around the fire till the fire dies out. During the born fire, popcorn, chikkis, milk is distributed to all the villages.

Apart from these, people fly kite too as a part of Lohri festival. People go to roof tops and fly kites of various colours.

Lohri being a very important festival, it is celebrated with more excitement in those families that recently had a marriage or had a child birth. Apart from the public Lohri celebrations, Punjabis celebrate Lohri in their own house too and a heavy dinner is served for the guests. The dinner includes Sarson da saag and makki di roti. 

Vallamkali - The Snake Boat Race of Kerala

Vallamkali - the Snake Boat Race is the most fascinating event of the 10 days Onam festival. To promote tourism in Kerala, during the 10 days of Onam festival such events are conducted. This particular event is becoming more and more popular every day. India's first prime minister - Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, was the main person behind the popularity of the race and he was the person, who initiated the trophy for the race too.

The Vallamkali boats are not ordinary boats. They are about 100ft long which can seat about 150 people. Out of the 150, 125 people are oars men and 25 people are singers.  The boats are made mainly of the tree of Anjili or teak or Kadama. The ends of the boats are made to resemble the cobra hoods which gave the name to these boats. The boats belong to individual villages and not to any individual person. The men folk of the village alone are allowed to touch the boat and can get into it with bare feet. The boat is regarded high and is worshipped as a deity.

The Vallamkalis are decorated with colourful umbrellas. The boats are repaired annually and a carpenter is allocated specially for doing so. The boats are lubricated regularly with a mixture of different items to keep the woods of the boat strong and to move swiftly in water. The boats are kept ready to swim any time.

Just before the race, a priest offers pujas to Lord Mahavishnu and Mahabali and the boats are launched in the water ready to race. The boat race is held in the rive Pamba at Aranmulla. About 30 boats participate in the event. The race is conducted for a stretch of 40 kms from the hills to the low lying plains. The boat race is conducted on the 5th day of the 10 days of Onam celebrations. All the oars men are dressed in dhotis and turbans singing the traditional Vanchipattu. The rythm of the song along with the splashing of oars in the water gives great enthusiasm to the oarsmen.

The oarsmen display great team spirit which tells all the viewers how important it is to be united and work in harmony to reach the goal. Mistake made by one single person out of the 125 people will overturn the boat. (Though for a long time only men participate in the boat race, now a days even women too participate with great enthusiasm).

All through the 10 days, a boat laden with food - Palliodam sails from Katoormana. The boat that wins the race gets the previlage to accompany the Palliodam. It is a great site to watch the well lit boats in the night which can be easily spotted even from a very long distance.
Every year Nehru Trophy is awarded to the winners of the race that is held in the Punnamada Backwaters. 

Onam

Onam is the very important festival of the state of Kerala. It is the beginning of the month of Chingam, which is the begining of the Kollam year (Malayalam Calender), This is also the harvest festival of Kerala. The festival is also celebrated to welcome the King Mahabali, who comes to visit his country every year. In general the festival is celebrated for about 4 to 10 days. Onam is declared the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. The entire week of celebrations is the Tourist Week of Kerala and it atracts thousands of visitors from India and abroad. The festival of Onam is quite synonymous with Pookolam, Onam Sadaya, Vallamkali, Elephant procession and lots of martial art combacts and display.
The festival of Onam is also called as Thiruvonam or Sravanmahotsav

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan orRakhi is a festival celebrated for the welfare of brothers by the sisters. The festival is observed by all the religions invariably at large. The main ceremony involved beyond this is the sister tying a Rakhi, sacred thread or Raksha Bandhan in the wrists of their brothers. This symbolizes the sister's love for the brother and her prayers for the well being of him. The brothers inturn offers a gift to their sister. This Rakhi is tied not just to their sibling brothers alone, but also to their cousin brothers and also to those men who are considered to be brothers. The brothers commit a life long obligation to provide protection to the woman or girl.

There are lots of references in the epics and history to this sacred thread of Rakhi which bought up brothers and sisters together. This festival though had been celebrated for a long time, became popular after Rani Karnavati of Chittor, sent a Rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun asking his help.

This day of Shravan Poornima is also celebrated as Lord Krishna's birth. In south and central India, this day is celebrated as Avani Avittam or Upakarma.

When is the festival celebrated?
The festival falls on the full moon day of the Shravan month of the Hindu Lunar Calender

Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu - Harvest Festival of Assam

Bohag Bihu or the Rongali Bihu is the New Year festival of Assamese. This festival comes mostly in the middle of April and normally it falls on April 15th or a day before or after. The festival comes during spring and the first day is called as Garu Bihu and on this day bulls, cows and cattle are bathed and fed well with brinjal and gourds. The heads are smeared with turmeric and they are tethered with new ropes too.

On the second day, Manush Bihu men, women and children wear new clothes and eat the delicacies named Pitas and Larus. prepared in the house. This day is marked as the day of harmony and people settle old differences and quarrels. People visit their friends and relatives and exchange the delicacies prepared. Gifts like hand woven scarves are also exchanged. The bihu festival is celebrated for a week. And people involve themselves in singing and dancing with the traditional bihugeets, traditional folk songs. The Rangoli Bihu dance is a traditional dance which starts at a very slow pace and accelerates speed slowly. The songs are sung in chorus and the dance is done in groups and in circles. The songs are accompanied by instruments made of bamboo and drums. The best women dancer is awarded Bihu Kunwori.