To mark the beginning of Hindu New Year, the nation is celebrating the day in different ways.
To mark the beginning of Hindu New Year, the nation is celebrating the day in different ways.
Most of North India is celebrating the first day of Chaitra Navaratri while Manipur is rejoicing over Sajibu Cheiraoba. This is also the eve of Sindhi festival of Cheti Chand.
For Gudi Padwa, Maharashtrians have taken to streets to parade in traditional attires with massive drums and riveting music as company. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are also celebrating Ugadi.
PM Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind wished the nation on these various festivals. Let's take a look at how various cities and places in India are enjoying this holy day.
Ugadi, also known as Kannada and Telugu New Year, is celebrated primarily by the Hindus of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Maharashtra on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra.
The day is observed by drawing colourful patterns on the floor (Rangoli), hanging mango leaf decorations on doors, buying and giving gifts, and preparing and sharing a special dish called 'pachadi', which combines all flavours - sweet, sour, salty, bitter.
It is believed that in the Telugu and Kannada Hindu traditions, the dish is a symbolic reminder that one must expect all flavours of experiences in the coming new year.
Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Hindus in Maharashtra and is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar.
Similar to Ugadi, the festival is observed with colourful floor decorations, a special Gudhi flag garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, and topped with upturned silver or copper vessel, street processions, dancing and festive foods.
Sajibu Cheiraoba is the lunar new year festival of the people who follow the Sanamahism religion of Manipur. While festive food, offerings and prayers are a part of the festivities for the day, it is believed that the feast for the occasion is usually prepared by the men in the family, while women assist them in chopping and washing the ingredients.
This is also the beginning of the Chaitra Navratri and the transition of the spring season to summer. As in case of Sharad Navratri which is celebrated in September-October, celebrations for Chaitra Navratri also involve worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms.
Over the next nine days, devotees offer their prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts. While the tenth day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami, the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navami or Hindu Lord Rama's birthday.
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