Diverse traditional New Year celebrations in India |
Various regions of the vast and diverse India celebrated the traditional New Year on 13th April in the form of Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chaitra Sukladi, Cheti Chand, Vishu, Puthandu and Bohag Bihu. According to the Luni-Solar calendar, the first day of the full moon of Chaitra is the beginning of the Hindu New Year. The people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana call it `Ugadi`, and in Karnataka it is `Yugadi`. In Maharashtra, it is celebrated as `Gudi Padwa`, and in Tamil Nadu, it is observed as `Puthandu`. In Kerala, the day is celebrated as `Vishu`, In Punjab, it is `Vaisakhi` and in Odisha it is called `Pana Sankranti` and in Assam, `Bohag Bihu`. Indian President Ram Nath Covid said these festivals are celebrated across the country in different ways but symbolise unity in diversity. He said they also exhibit the rich culture of our country which is apparent in the way these festivals are celebrated. Extending warm greetings, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said the names of the festival may differ but the spirit suffused with joy, hope and togetherness remain the same. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the beginning of the new Hindu Samvat Year 2078 and wished for happiness, prosperity and brotherhood across the nation. Meanwhile, the holy month of Ramadan may begin in India on April 14, 2021, depending on when the crescent moon is sighted, first in Saudi Arabia and then usually a day later in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries. During this month, pious Muslims observe fast from dawn to dusk called Roza. Month long fasting ends with Eid celebrations. In related news, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, the British Prime Minister`s Indian Diaspora Champion, has also conveyed her best wishes for Vaisakhi, saying “I am delighted to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in India, Britain and around the world celebrating Vaisakhi. This is a much celebrated and significant time for the Sikh community as they commemorate the birth of Khalsa. Vaisakhi is also an important occasion to celebrate the huge contribution of British Sikhs, who have been a keystone of British life for over 160 years,”.
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