New Year Festivities at Different Regions of India

India is a diverse land with a variety of people living there and ways in which they celebrate New Year. These days are celebrated in different parts of India with names like Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Vishu, Puthandu, etc., reflecting the rich culture of India. Some states follow the Solar Calendar and some follow the Lunar Calendar. To know more, Here is the list of several New Year Days celebrated across the various Indian States.
This post explains new year celebration in india and regional new year festivals in India.

Ugadi – Telugu New Year

The festival is celebrated in the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in the month of March-April (Chaitra month). Symbolising the beginning of an age, the date of the festival follows the Hindu calendar system. The date brings in the festivities where people buy new clothes and have good food.
Ugadi is one of the prominent new year festivals in india.

Gudi Padwa – Marathi New Year

Celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month, Gudi Padwa is a New Year day for Maharashtrians and Konkanis. On this day a gudi can be found hanging out on the right side of the main access of the houses. (Gudi is a bright yellow cloth tied to the tip of a long bamboo and copper pot positioned on it along with a sugar garland).
Gudi Padwa is often cited when discussing indian states new year celebrations.

Baisakhi – Punjabi New Year

Baisakhi is the harvest festival, celebrated with great pomp and splendour among the Sikhs. Marking the beginning of the New Year on 13th April and some time on 14th, the festival brings together people from all religions. Baisakhi also stands as the day of the formation of the Sikh Khalsa. The major festivities can be seen happening in the Golden temple in Amritsar, along with United States, Canada and United Kingdom.
This is a clear example of how india celebrates new year with community gatherings and harvest rites.

Puthandu – Tamil New Year

The traditional New Year in Tamil starts in mid April either on 13 or 14 April, or first day of Tamil month Chithirai. People during this festival wish each other “ Puthandu Vazthukal” which means happy new year. The special food of this celebration is Mangai Pachadi, made of raw mangoes, neem flowers and jaggery.
Local rituals here show typical new year traditions in india.

Bohag Bihu – Assamese New Year

Celebrated in the middle of April, Bohag Bihu marks the beginning of an Assamese New Year. The festival is one of the most significant festivals of Assam that is celebrated with great zeal, faith and belief.
Bohag Bihu forms part of the traditional new year celebrations in india.

Pohela Boishakh – Bengali New Year

Celebrated with great enthusiasm during the mid of April,The Nabo Barsho is the Bengali New Year. The day brings in lots of festivities along with several cultural programmes, shopping and prayers. Pohela Boishakh is celebrated by tribal people in hilly regions of Tripura and also in cities of other countries.
Pohela Boishakh highlights the cultural festivals during new year india, with parades and cultural shows.

Bestu Varas – Gujarati New Year

Bestu Varas is the Gujarati New Year which marks the beginning of the harvest season in Gujrat and therefore is observed with great fervor. The festival comes on the day after Diwali, along with religious rituals and traditions. Marwaris of Rajasthan observe Diwali as a new year, as the most pious day to start a new beginning.
This region is listed among the best places to celebrate new year in india for those who prefer festival-based beginnings.

Vishu – Malayalam New Year

Vishu is the Malyalam New Year, observed just like a New Year elsewhere in India, but usually on April 14 of the Gregorian calendar. It is one of the most popular traditional celebrations, followed by the people of Kerala.
Vishu is an example of unique new year celebrations in india with its own rituals and customs.

Hijri – Islamic New Year

The Muslim New Year begins on the first day of Muharram as the Islamic calendar does not line up with the Gregorian calendar, and only because of that the date for the Islamic New Year or Muharram, vary as per lunar calendar. The New Year is celebrated with ancient customs & traditions for incoming spring.

Losoong – Sikkimese New Year

The Losoong is one of the most known and ancient festivals of Sikkim, celebrated in December. The festival marks the end of harvesting season and the beginning of the New Year for people of Sikkim. It is also called ‘Sonam Losar’ the farmer’s new year.

Navreh – Kashmiri New Year

This new Year in Kashmir falls on the first day of Chaitra Navratri and is observed as sacred as Shivratri. The event is celebrated with great enthusiasm and sanctity and marks the beginning of a new year, just like Gaudi Parva, Ugadi, etc.

Pana Sankranti, Orissa

Pana Sankranti is the traditional new year day festival of the people in Odisha. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm as people visit Hanuman temples and take baths in sacred rivers or major pilgrimage centres. Moreover, communities participate in mela, enjoy dance and acrobatic performances and much more.

FAQs 

1. Q: Are these New Year days the same across all Indian states?
   A: No, India follows multiple regional calendars, so new year days vary by state and community; this is why we see many regional new year festivals throughout the country.

2. Q: Which New Year festival is best for cultural programmes and parades?
   A: Festivals like Pohela Boishakh and Baisakhi are known for large public cultural programmes and parades, making them great examples of cultural festivals during new year india.

3. Q: Do these celebrations involve food-specific traditions?
   A: Yes, many regional observances feature distinctive dishes (for example, Mangai Pachadi for Puthandu or special sweets during Vishu), reflecting the new year traditions in india.

4. Q: When should I travel if I want to experience several traditional new year celebrations in India?
   A: Mid-April is peak time to see many traditional new year celebrations in india (Ugadi, Puthandu, Bohag Bihu, and Pohela Boishakh), while other regions observe their new year on different dates; check specific festival dates for the year you plan to travel.

5. Q: Where can I find quieter, offbeat New Year experiences in India?
   A: Seek out hill and northeastern festivals (for example, Losoong in Sikkim or Navreh in Kashmir) to experience unique new year celebrations india away from large city crowds.