In the eastern region of India, the hindu new year is celebrated with fervor and gaiety in the different states.
In West Bengal, Poila Boishakh (or the first day of Boishakh) is celebrated as the new year. Poila Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar; it is the day after Vishuva Sankranti, also known as Choitro (Chaitra) Sankrati in Bengali. Pohela Boishakh connects all ethnic Bengalis irrespective of religious and regional differences. It falls on 14 or 15 April of the Gregorian calendar depending on the use of the new amended or the old Bengali calendar respectively. Usually on the day of Poila Baishakh, the houses are cleaned and sometimes painted.
People take early bath and put in their best dresses. Much of the day is spend by paying a visit to relatives, friends and neighbors. Special food items are prepared on this day. There is also an age-old tradition of starting the day by having a breakfast consisting of panta bhat (soaked rice) along with onion, green chillies, and fried Hilsa fish.
In the state of Assam, new year is celebrated as Rongali Bihu. Rongali Bihu, also called Bohag Bihu) is the celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of Spring. It’s a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy and there is a feeling of joy around. The women make pitha, larus (traditional food made of rice and coconut) and Jolpan which gives the real essence of the season.
The first day of the bihu is called goru bihu or cow bihu, where the cows are washed and worshipped, which falls on the last day of the previous year, usually on April 14. This is followed by manuh (human) bihu on April 15, the New Year Day. This is the day of getting cleaned up, wearing new cloths and celebrating and getting ready for the New Year with fresh vigor. The third day is Gosai (Gods) bihu; statues of Gods, worshiped in all households are cleaned and worshiped asking for a smooth new year. Rongali Bihu is also a fertility festival, where the bihu dance with its sensous movements using the hips, arms, etc., by the young women calls out to celebrate their fertility.
In Manipur, Cheiraoba is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor to mark the beginning of a new year. It is one of the major festivals of this north eastern state. Observed in the month of April, Cheiraoba festival is celebrated by Hindus and Muslims alike with equal zeal and energy.
The Manipuris in the state and also living elsewhere follow religious rituals and traditions during the festival of Cheiraoba. On this day, the people worship their local deities to seek divine blessing and eternal happiness for the year ahead. Usually, a grand family feast comprising of several local delicacies, is prepared to observe the special occasion.
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