India has been historically and culturally agrarian society. We have been celebrating the annual harvest since times immemorial; as it provides livelihood to the farmers and is our primary source of nourishment. The annual harvest also coincides with the Hindu New Year (Hindu calendar is Lunar, based on the movement of the Moon).
Owing to India’s immense regional, cultural and ethnic diversity, Harvest and New Year’s Day is celebrated at different times in the different regions of our country. In North India, harvest and New Year is celebrated as Baiskahi in the month of April. In the eastern part of India, the new year is ushered in many ways in the month of April; West Bengal celebrates Poila boishak, Assam celebrates Rongali Bihu and Manipur celebrates Cheiraoba. In the western region of India, Gudi padwa is celebrated as new year’s day in Maharashtra. In the southern region of India, Ugadi is celebrated as New Year’s day in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Pongal is the harvest festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu and Vishu is celebrated as new year in Kerala. All of these celebrations are based on the months in the Lunar Hindu Calendar.
This article series is on Harvest and New Year’s days celebrations in different regions of India.
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(Photo Courtesy: Mohammed Ballas / AP)
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