The arrival of spring brings a fresh wave of celebrations across India. As the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, this time of the year marks the New Year for many communities, each celebrating in its own vibrant and unique way.
While Maharashtra raises the Gudi in celebration of Gudi Padwa, people in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana welcome Ugadi. Sindhis call it Cheti Chand, Bengalis celebrate Poila Boishakh, Tamilians observe Puthandu, and in Punjab, it’s time for Vaisakhi. From the colourful rangolis of Maharashtra to the grand feasts of Kerala’s Vishu, this is a time of new beginnings, hope, and joy.
But beyond rituals and traditions, these festivals bring people together, filling homes with laughter, the aroma of festive food, and the warmth of family bonds.
Let’s take a journey through these diverse celebrations and experience the true essence of India’s cultural unity.
Gudi Padwa (30 Mar, 2025): Maharashtra’s Vibrant New Year
Maharashtrians start their year with a grand welcome, hoisting the Gudi—a brightly coloured silk cloth tied to a bamboo stick, topped with a silver or copper pot and adorned with neem leaves and flowers. The Gudi symbolises victory, prosperity, and good fortune.
The day begins with a holy oil bath, followed by traditional delicacies like puran poli and shrikhand. Families decorate their homes with intricate rangoli designs, and cities like Mumbai and Pune witness massive processions, folk performances, and joyous celebrations.
Beyond rituals, it’s a time to reflect on new beginnings, setting goals for a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead.
Ugadi (30 March 2025): Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana’s New Year
As Maharashtra celebrates Gudi Padwa, the southern states embrace Ugadi with open arms. Ugadi means ‘the beginning of a new era’, and it’s all about fresh starts.
People wake up to oil baths, wear new clothes, and decorate homes with mango leaves (torans), believed to attract positivity and prosperity. The most iconic tradition of Ugadi is the preparation of ‘Ugadi Pachadi’, a dish with six flavours—sweet (jaggery), sour (tamarind), bitter (neem), salty, tangy, and spicy. Each flavour represents different emotions of life, reminding people to embrace everything with balance.
Cheti Chand (30/31 March 2025): Sindhi New Year
For the Sindhi community, Cheti Chand is a day to honour their spiritual leader, Jhulelal. The festival begins with prayers at Sindhi temples, followed by community feasts, joyful processions, and devotional songs.
This festival holds a special place in the hearts of Sindhis, as it reaffirms their faith, heritage, and unity.
Navreh (30 March 2025): Kashmiri Pandits’ New Year
For the Kashmiri Pandit community, Navreh is not just about celebrating the New Year—it’s about honouring traditions and spirituality. Families prepare a sacred thali filled with rice, flowers, coins, and the Navreh almanac, which predicts the year’s events.
The first sight of this thali at dawn is believed to bring good fortune, making Navreh a day of gratitude and reflection.
Puthandu (14 April 2025): Tamil Nadu’s Grand Welcome to the New Year
Down south, Tamil Nadu celebrates Puthandu, where homes come alive with kolams (rangoli patterns), temple visits, and a grand festive feast. The day starts with the Vishukkani—a beautifully arranged collection of fruits, rice, gold, and flowers, symbolising prosperity for the coming year.
Puthandu is not just about celebrations but about seeking divine blessings for a peaceful and successful future.
Poila Boishakh (15 April 2025): West Bengal’s Grand Beginning
For Bengalis, the first day of the Bengali calendar is Poila Boishakh, celebrated with enthusiasm and grandeur. Streets buzz with cultural performances, Rabindra Sangeet (songs of Rabindranath Tagore), and festive gatherings.
A significant part of Poila Boishakh is the ‘Haalkhata’ ritual, where businessmen open new financial account books and seek blessings for a prosperous business year ahead.
Vaisakhi (13 April 2025): Punjab’s Festival of Harvest and Faith
In Punjab, the New Year coincides with Vaisakhi, which celebrates both the harvest season and the birth of the Khalsa (the Sikh warrior community).
The day starts with prayers at gurdwaras, followed by lively Nagar Kirtan processions, Bhangra and Gidda performances, and community feasts (Langar).
For farmers, Vaisakhi is a festival of gratitude, marking the end of one harvest season and the beginning of another.
Bihu (14 April 2025): Assam’s Joyful Harvest Festival
In Assam, the New Year begins with Rongali Bihu, the most energetic and vibrant festival of the state. The air is filled with the sounds of Bihu songs and traditional dance performances, as people greet each other and celebrate nature’s bounty.
Traditional pitha (rice cakes) are made, and the festival is a time for family reunions and cultural pride.
Vishu (14 April 2025): Kerala’s Festival of Light and Prosperity
Kerala’s Vishu marks the beginning of the Malayalam calendar year, celebrated with fireworks, feasting, and temple visits.
The highlight of Vishu is the Vishukkani, where people arrange a sacred display of fruits, flowers, coins, and sacred texts before deities. This first sight of the year is believed to bring prosperity.
Another important tradition is Vishu Kaineettam, where elders give money to children, symbolising sharing wealth and blessings.
One Festival, Many Names – A Celebration of Unity
Despite different names and traditions, all these festivals share one beautiful message—new beginnings, gratitude, and togetherness.
This is the beauty of India, where diversity is celebrated, and traditions bring people closer.
So, whether you’re hoisting a Gudi, enjoying Ugadi Pachadi, or dancing to Bihu beats, one thing is certain—a new year has begun, and it’s time to embrace it with open hearts and joyous spirits!
