Celebrating regional new years across India (2).

We shall continue our journey to the nooks and corners of our country to understand more about the regional new years that enshrine their cultural uniqueness.  

1. Pohela Boishakh

Or Bangla Nobobarsha is the first day of the Bengali calendar. Is celebrated on 14 Apr as a national holiday in Bangladesh and on 14 or 15 Apr in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Barak Valley region of Assam by the people of Bengali heritage, irrespective of their religious faith. Set according to the lunisolar Bengali calendar. 

2. Puthandu

Is celebrated on 14 Apr and it falls on the first day of the Tamil calendar. People of Tamilnadu and Pondicherry traditionally clean up the house, prepare a tray of fruits, flowers and auspicious items, light up family puja altar and visit local temples. They also visit their elders to seek blessings from them.

It's interesting to know that today is new year day for not only for Tamilnadu, Bengal, Assam, Kerala. Orissa, Manipur, Punjab but also for Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand!

3. Sheetal

Jur Sital, also spelt as Jude Sheetal (the movement of the Sun, relative to the stars). Celebrated on 14 Apr, the first day the Maithili New Year under Bikram Sambat calendar. The festival gets its name from the words 'jur' meaning staying connected and 'sital' meaning cool and is celebrated in Bihar and Jharkhand along with the Oriya new year, Pana Sankranti.

4. Vishu

Is a Hindu festival celebrated in the state of Kerala, Tulunadu region of Karnataka, Mahe district of the union territory of Pondicherry, neighbouring states of Tamilnadu and their diaspora communities. Celebrated on 14 Apr, the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. Vishukkani and Vishukkaineettam are the main observances.

Our country is, indeed, blessed with varying hues of culture which complement each other and never ever, work at loggerheads with one another. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, got the Vishukkani activated and took Lekha to have her first sight of the arrangement. After getting back to bed for about two hours, got up at 6, the chores and was ready by about a half past 9. Gave Lekha, her Vishukkaineettam and then dismantled the Vishukkani before breakfast.

It was a day of calling up near and dear ones to convey Vishu greetings and sending messages to friends. 

Earlier, gave Vishukkaineettam to Ramakrishnan, the newspaper boy and Selvam, the dhobhi.