CALENDARS AND NEW YEARS OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE WORLD

By-J. S. Rawat

New Year’s celebrations around the world are diverse and vibrant, with each country and culture having its unique traditions and customs. Different communities and cultures around the world celebrate the New Year on various dates according to their calendars and traditions. Here are a few examples:

Gregorian Calendar (January 1st): This is the most widely recognized New Year’s Day, celebrated by many countries around the world according to the Gregorian calendar.

Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year): It falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually between January 21 and February 20 in the Gregorian calendar. It’s celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide and based on the lunar calendar.

Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year): The Islamic New Year, also known as Hijri New Year or Islamic New Hijri Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. The date varies each year on the Gregorian calendar because it’s based on the lunar cycle.

Nowruz (Persian New Year): Celebrated by various communities in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and among other ethnic groups, Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Iranian calendar. It usually falls on or around March 21st.

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year): Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, observed on the first and second days of the Jewish month of Tishrei, which usually falls in September or October on the Gregorian calendar.

Songkran (Thai New Year): Celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from April 13 to 15. It’s known for its water festival where people splash water on each other.

Matariki (Maori New Year): In New Zealand, Matariki is observed by the Maori people, typically between late May and early June. It’s marked by the appearance of the Pleiades star cluster and is a time for reflection, celebration, and the start of a new planting season.

Diwali (Hindu New Year): While Diwali is known as the festival of lights, it also marks the Hindu New Year in some regions of India. Its date varies but usually falls between October and November in the Gregorian calendar.

These are just a few examples of New Year celebrations from different cultures and regions around the world. Each celebration comes with its own unique customs, traditions, and significance.

Indian New Years

1. Vikram Samvat – Hindu New Year
2. Hijri – Muslim New Year
3. Baisakhi – Punjabi New Year
4. Bastu Varas – Gujaratis New Year
5. Ugadi – Telugu New Year
6. Gudi Padwa – Marathi New Year
7. Puthandu – Tamil New Year
8. Pohela Boishakh – Bengali New Year
9. Losoong – Sikkimese New Year
10. Pana Sankranti – Odissi New Year

 

THE HINDU NEW YEAR

The Hindu New Year is known as “Vikram Samvat” or “Hindu Nav Varsh” and its date varies each year according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The Hindu New Year is celebrated on different days in various regions of India, and there are multiple regional calendars followed within Hinduism.

One of the commonly celebrated New Year days in Hinduism is “Chaitra Shukla Pratipada” or “Ugadi” or “Gudi Padwa,” which usually falls in the month of Chaitra (March-April) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This day marks the beginning of the new year in some regions of India, especially in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

However, it’s essential to note that different regions and communities within Hinduism may have their own regional variations and different New Year days based on their respective lunar calendars or regional customs. So, the specific day celebrated as the Hindu New Year can vary based on regional differences.

In India, various communities and regions celebrate the New Year on different dates based on their respective calendars and traditions. Here are some of the New Year days celebrated by different communities in India:

 

New year celebrations  of different communities in India ?

 

Ugadi/Gudi Padwa: It’s the New Year’s Day celebrated in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It falls on the first day of the Chaitra month (March-April) in the Hindu lunar calendar.

Vishu: Celebrated predominantly in Kerala, Vishu marks the Malayalam New Year. It occurs in the month of Medam (April-May) in the Malayalam calendar.

Pohela Boishakh: This is the Bengali New Year celebrated in West Bengal and by Bengali communities in other parts of India. It falls on the first day of the month of Boishakh (April) in the Bengali calendar.

Puthandu: Celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Puthandu is the Tamil New Year. It occurs on the first day of the Chithirai month (April-May) in the Tamil calendar.

Navreh or Navroz: Navreh is the Kashmiri New Year celebrated in the Kashmiri Pandit community. It usually falls in late March or early April. Navroz is also celebrated by the Parsi community in India, marking the Persian New Year.

Nyokum Yullo: Observed by the Nyishi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, Nyokum Yullo is a festival that also signifies the New Year for this community. It typically falls in February.

Losar: Celebrated mainly in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Tibetan communities, Losar is the Tibetan New Year. It falls in either January or February, depending on the Tibetan lunar calendar.

These New Year celebrations in different communities within India come with unique rituals, traditions, and cultural significance, reflecting the diversity and richness of the country’s cultural tapestry