Get ready to whisk you away on a journey not just through space but through time as well! We’re going to discover when each New Year celebration lights up India. Keep your calendars ready; off we go!”
- Diwali - The Shimmering Festival of Lights: Our adventure begins in late October or early November. Diwali transforms the night with its glowing lamps and fireworks. Imagine the moon and stars deciding to visit Earth on this special night!
- Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra - The Spring Banner Festival: Fasten your seatbelts for a spring ride to late March or early April. Gudi Padwa brings a splash of color and joy, marking the start of something new and exciting, like opening the first page of your favorite book.
- Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh - The Taste of Life: Next stop, also in late March or early April, Ugadi teaches us that life is full of flavors, from sweet to bitter, all rolled into one fantastic day. It’s like nature’s own recipe for happiness!
- Puthandu in Tamil Nadu - A Feast on Banana Leaves: In mid-April, Puthandu plates are full, and so are our hearts. It’s a time when every dish tells a story of tradition, much like your grandmother’s kitchen where every recipe is a tale.
- Vishu in Kerala - The Eye-Opening Treasure Hunt: Also in mid-April, Vishu surprises us with sights that promise a year full of luck and joy. It’s like waking up to find a treasure map that leads to a year of adventures.
- Bihu in Assam - The Dance of Joy: In mid-April, Bihu dances its way into our hearts, celebrating the seeds of new life with music and moves that would even make the trees sway along.
- Poila Boishakh in West Bengal - A Colorful Beginning: As April showers bring May flowers, mid-April’s Poila Boishakh paints Bengal in hues of joy and togetherness. It’s like the entire state gets a new coat of paint.
- Navreh in Kashmir - A Plateful of Traditions: In late March or early April, Navreh spreads a platter of hopes and dreams for the new year, like setting out cookies for Santa, hoping for wishes to come true. This is different from Navroz , celebrated as the Paris new year in India, in July or August .
- Bestu Varas in Gujarat - The Doorway to the New Year: In late October or early November, right after Diwali, Bestu Varas invites us to step into the new year with lights, colors, and sweet treats. It’s like the night sky turning on all its lights for us.
- Cheti Chand for the Sindhi Community - The Day of Good Omen: Around late March or early April, Cheti Chand sails in with stories of courage and new beginnings. Imagine a superhero’s origin story, but it’s the start of your new year.
-
Losar in the North - The High Mountain New Year: Finally, in February or March, Losar wraps us in layers of tradition, warmth, and prayer flags that flutter messages of peace and happiness into the sky.
And there are a multiple others for different religions and regions of this diverse country !Each festival, with its unique date, brings its own magic and message. It’s like having multiple new beginnings throughout the year, each offering a fresh start and new hopes. Keep these dates close, and let the spirit of these festivals inspire you all year round. Until next time, keep exploring, keep dreaming, and remember—every day is chance for a new adventure! Enjoy my latest picture celebrating Gudi Padwa in Kolhapur.