A new year is very special for everyone. It is the symbol of a fresh start, a new chapter in one’s life, and a chance to embark on a new adventure. For quite a few cultures across the world, they celebrate their new year during the month of April. Let us explore some of the cultures across the world who have celebrated their respective New Year, the significance of their celebration, and what they do to celebrate such an auspicious day.
Tamil new year/ Puthandu or Varsha Pirappu, is celebrated on the 14th of April by Tamilian Hindus in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Puducherry, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and other countries with Tamil diaspora. It is celebrated on this day as many people believe that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this day. Many Tamilians also believe that Lord Indra, the Prince of harmony came to Earth on this day to ensure peace and serenity on the planet.
They celebrate this festival by cleaning and decorating their homes and preparing flowers, fruits (mango, banana, and jackfruit), and other auspicious items. They wear new clothes and children seek blessings from their elders. Tamilians start the day by taking a bath and making “kolams” using colored rice powders and flowers at the entrances of houses. They also prepare Pongal and offer them in worship as ‘neivethyam’ by singing devotional songs. There is a tradition to prepare a seasonal dish called ‘Manga-Pachadi’ with raw mangoes, tamarind, jaggery, and fresh neem flowers. Getting dressed in new clothes, people visit their relatives seeking the blessings of elders. On Puthandu eve, there is a lore of preparing a tray that consists of mango, banana, jackfruit, betel leaves, jewelry, money, and flowers and placing it in front of a mirror.
Malayalam new year, or Vishu, is celebrated on the 15th of April. It is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, in the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka, Mahe district of Pondicherry, and some districts in Tamil Nadu. Vishu is celebrated on this day as Vishu is believed to mark the day when Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. Vishu is celebrated to mark the onset of spring and harvest season in the country.
People begin the day by taking a bath, wearing new clothes, lighting oil lamps, and offering prayers. They set up a display of fruits, vegetables, rice, a few coins, and the holy text in a metal bowl called “Uruli” and then place it in front of the temple at their home. A special meal or dish called Sadya is prepared during the occasion. As the day is known for feasting, food items of equal proportions including salty, bitter, sweet, and sour dishes are prepared.
Thai New Year, which is celebrated from 13th April till 15th April. It is a celebration that embraces goodwill, love, and compassion. and thankfulness, using water as the means of expression. Another name for the Thai new year is Songkran.
This event is celebrated by cleaning of houses and public places such as temples, schools, and offices to welcome the New Year with cleanliness and a fresh start. People offer alms to monks in dedication to their late ancestors and go to the temples to listen to Buddhist preaching. Releasing birds and fish back to their natural habitat is a common practice during Songkran. This act of giving freedom is a form of merit-making. Sprinkling water onto Buddha images and monks is an auspicious act to receive blessings for the New Year. Building sand pagodas on the temple ground. Bringing sand into the temple’s premises is considered to merit because the sand can be used or reused for construction or restoration of the temple.
Telugu and Kannada New year or Ugadi, which is celebrated on 1st April. Ugadi is the New Year celebration for the people of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana states in India. Ugadi, also known as Yugadi in Karnataka is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day, individuals draw wonderful rangoli called kolamulus on the floor and design mango leaves on their entryways, which is called toranalu. Juice is prepared by mixing neem flowers, jaggery water, and mango scraps, which are consumed empty stomach after the pujas. Special dishes and sweets are prepared on the occasion of Ugadi such as Bobbatu, Atukulu Payasam, Pulihora, Nimmakaya Annam, Rava Pulihora, etc., which are greatly relished by all family members.
Burmese New Year or Thingyan is the most significant annual festival on the Myanmar calendar, which is celebrated from 13th April till 16th April by the Burmese people, of Buddhist origin. The story behind Thingyan originated from the Buddhist version of a Hindu myth. Thingyan symbolizes the washing away of the ills and sins of the previous year in preparation for the goodness of the New Year.
Pohela Baishak, the Bengali New Year, is the first day of the Baishak month. It is celebrated regardless of religious faith. On this day, families and friends gather in traditional attire- Panjabi and dhoti for men, and a saree, draped on both sides of the shoulder- a Bengali trademark, for the women, usually in white and red hues. All Bengali meals should always end with their world-renowned sweets. After all, who will not enjoy a nice cold cup of Mishti Doi, sweet curd, or a nice Malai Cham Cham?
It is very beautiful to see how different cultures appreciate their respective new year and what it means for them. It exposes us to different aspects of various cultures and enlightens us on the values which bring about great appreciation and understanding.
Rohit Menon & Aarav Dutt (10H)