Most of the people in India prefer western culture in every aspect and yet boast they are proud Indians. It is a shame on those who boast they are proud of Indian culture and tradition and yet blame Indian tradition sarcastically. India has many cultures, and each of them has a different New Year’s Day.
When other country people are dying hard to get visas to India and stay in religious places, the people in India are making ridiculous comments about our culture and traditions.
It would be better if a true patriot who says they are proud to be Indian shows it in action rather than words. You may be wondering what is this all.
January 1st is not our New Year’s day. I see people celebrate it with hot drinks and cakes and spend huge amounts on it. It seems people turned this day into a liquor party. Indians are set to celebrate New Year as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar – Panchanga and the New Year day is decided with the position of the solar and lunar systems.
India celebrates New Year at different times in different places. Every state of India is very unique in its tradition and culture. There are separate New Year days in various parts of India where people celebrate this special day in a unique and traditional style.
1. Ugadi or Yugadi
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka state people celebrate New Year that falls in the month of March–April (Chaitra month- Chaitra Shudhdha Paadyami). Ugadi symbolizes the beginning of a new age. People buy new clothes and decorate the entrance of their houses with fresh mango leaves which are considered auspicious in the Hindu tradition.
Ugadi Pachhadi (Telugu) or Bevu Bella (Kannada) is a special recipe is prepared and eaten on Ugadi festival that symbolizes six tastes or flavors of life – sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise. Taking this special recipe on Ugadi tells us to accept the life with equanimity through the year to come. People visit temples to listen to the yearly calendar–“Panchangasravanam” that priests make predictions for the coming year.
2. Gudi Padwa
Maharashtra and Goa state people celebrates Gudi Padwa as a New Year day that falls on the first day of Chaitra month. People wear new clothes and decorate their houses with colorful rangoli designs. On this day a gudi which is a bright yellow cloth tied to the tip of a long bamboo and copper pot placed in inverted on it along with a sugar garland is found hanging out on the right side of the main entrance of the houses.
3. Puthandu or Varusha Pirappu
It is the New Year day of Tamil Nadu that is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month Chithirai. Chitterai Thiruvizha is celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple Madurai. The main food of this festival is Mangai Pachadi made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers.
4. Baisakhi
The biggest harvest festival is celebrated across North Indian states, especially in Punjab. Usually, Baisakhi falls in the month of April, and this day is also celebrated as the day of the formation of the Sikh Khalsa. People enjoy the real pleasure of this day by visiting Golden Temple in Amritsar along with Khalsa.
