Nau Roz- Kashmiri New Year's Day falls in March/April. It's a day of
general festivity and rejoicing throughout the
state.
Goru Bihu (Assam)- The Goru Bihu or the cattle festival is celebrated on the
Hindu New Year's Day (April/ May). Cattle are washed and
decorated. They are smeared with turmeric and are treated to gur (jaggery) and brinjals.
Baisakhi (April/ May)- Baisakhi or
Vaisakhi is the first day of the month of Vaisakha, the
beginning of the Hindu year in some parts of the country. A
holy bath in a river, tank or well is an important feature of
the day's observance. For the Sikhs in Punjab and other parts
of the country, this day has a particular significance, as it
was on this day in 1699 that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa.
Naba Barsha (April
14)- The Bengali New Year's Day begin with prabhat
pheries (early morning processions), songs and dance to
welcome the New Year. A dip in a river or tank is another
essential feature of the day's ritual. With powdered rice, the
housewife makes beautiful designs called alpana on the
floor.
Gudi Padva
(March/April)- This is the New Year's Day for the
people of Maharashtra, a day of great festivity and
rejoicing.
Ugadi (Karnataka,
Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra | March/April)- Telugu
New Year's Day marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar
calendar with a change in the moon's orbit. It is a day when
mantras are chanted and predictions made for the New Year.
Traditionally, the panchangasravanam or listening to
the yearly calendar was done at the temples or at the Town
Square.
Puthandu- On the
Tamil New Year's Day, a big Car Festival is held at
Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. Festivals are also held at
Tiruchirapalli, Kanchipuram and many other places.
Vishu (April/ May)- Keralites celebrate Vishu, the New Year of the Malayalam
calendar. It is characterised in Malayali homes, by the 'first
sighting' (Vishukkani) of auspicious articles
ceremoniously placed before a lamp. Elders give cash presents
to dependents and relatives younger to them. This is called Kayneettam (extending the hand).
To know the other
fabulous festivals of India better you may visit the following
link:
Other
Indian Festivals
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