The President of India recently extended greetings to the nation on the eve of several spring festivals that mark the beginning of the traditional new year in different parts of the country. These festivals are Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiraoba.
Chaitra Sukladi: The New Year of The Vedic Calendar
Chaitra Sukladi denotes the beginning of a new year as per the Vikram Samvat, also known as the Vedic [Hindu] calendar. This calendar is based on the day when Emperor Vikramaditya vanquished the Sakas, invaded Ujjain, and ushered in a new era. During his reign, astronomers under his leadership formulated a new calendar based on the luni-solar system, which continues to be followed in North India. Chaitra Sukladi corresponds to the first day during the waxing phase of the moon in the Chaitra month, the first month of the Hindu calendar.
Gudi Padwa and Ugadi: Celebrations in the Deccan Region
Gudi Padwa and Ugadi are celebrated in the Deccan region, primarily by people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. A key feature of these celebrations is the festive food prepared with a combination of sweet and bitter ingredients. A popular dish served is a blend of jaggery (sweet) and neem (bitter), known as bevu-bella in South India, symbolizing both happiness and sorrows in life. Gudi, a doll crafted in Maharashtrian households, is another significant aspect of Gudi Padwa. During Ugadi, houses in the Deccan region get decorated with mango leaf arrangements called toranalu or Torana in Kannada.
Cheti Chand: The New Year of Sindhis
The Sindhi community celebrates their new year as Cheti Chand. In Sindhi language, the month of Chaitra is called ‘Chet’. The day also marks the birth anniversary of Uderolal/Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhis.
Navreh: Lunar New Year in Kashmir
Navreh is the lunar new year celebrated by Kashmiris. Derived from the Sanskrit term ‘Nav-Varsha’, Navreh falls on the first day of Chaitra Navratri. On this day, Kashmiri Pandits perform a ritual of looking at a bowl of rice, which is seen as a symbol of wealth and fertility.
Sajibu Cheiraoba: The Great Ritual Festival of Meiteis
Sajibu Cheiraoba is the grand ritualistic festival of the Meiteis, an ethnic group in Manipur. This festival is observed on the first day of the Manipur lunar month Shajibu, which usually falls in April every year. On this day, families come together for a feast in which traditional cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses.
In a related context, the 2018 UPSC Civil Services Examination had featured questions on various Indian traditions and festivals, reinforcing the importance of understanding and appreciating India’s diverse cultural practices.
