Vishu, Varsha Pirappu, Yugadi, Navroz, Gudi Padava Hindu new year Known by different local names in parts of India but marks the same - beginning of calendar year. All the Hindu new year celebrations are based on either the Lunar or Solar calendars. Of the two calendars Lunar calendar is most widely used but some regions do follow both the calendars. Since the calendar cycle is linked to the beginning of spring (Vasantha Maasa) it usually occurs during the months of March / April (the spring season). The festival is known by different local names but have the common theme of auspicious beginning to the new year with new clothes, family festive celebration. Rituals signify local beliefs but the underlying sense of joyous celebration is the common theme. Please refer to the separate leaflet on the 60 Hindu Samvatsara cycle and new year. Vishukodi and Vishukaineettam: People buy new clothes (vishukodi) for the occasion and the elders of the family distribute tokens of money to the children, servants and tenants. These tokens are called the vishukaineetam and are usually in the form of coins. People carry on this custom believing that in this way, their children will be blessed with prosperity in future. Vishu Sadya: While the men and the children engage in bursting crackers, women start cooking a variety of delicacies for the day`s lunch. The feast or the sadya is prepared by the women of the household and the whole family sits down to enjoy the vishu lunch together. The dishes prepared from the vegetables and fruits that are abundant in the season like jackfruits, mangoes, pumkins, a variety of gourds, and coconuts. The famous temples like Guruvayur, Sabarimala and Padmanabha temple are filled with devotees. Special pujas are held in these temples where the people go to worship and pray for a prosperous new year. They also view For Children s camp August 2003, K.Raghunandan 1
the Vishukanis that are prepared in each of these temples. Varsha Pirappu -- Rituals Varshapirappu is Tamil New Year. This festivals falls in the month of March/April. There are many customary rituals which are followed on the New Year. Early in the morning on this day, the entrance is decorated with Kolam (Rangoli). The doorways are adorned with mango leaves to mark the auspiciousness of the occasion. (If mango leaves are not available, flowers can be used). After an early bath, the whole family prays together, after which the children are supposed to take the blessings of their parents. No specific mantra is recited. Lord Ganesha is offered fruits, sweets and flowers. Since this festival marks the beginning of the New Year, food prepared is very special, with particular emphasis on pulses and cereals. In the afternoon they go to the temple for prayers. The rest of the day is spent visiting various relatives, friends and exchanging New Year greetings. Presents given are money, fruits, betel leaves and areca nuts. Gifts are also given to domestic workers and others. Business people generally start new account books for the new year on this day. Bonuses are often paid on the eve of the New Year. Yugadi / Ugadi Legend: Kali Yuga started in the year Pramaadi, in the month named Shravaana, and in the fortnight named Bahula, on the day called Ashtami. According to the western calendar this will be described as February 20, 3102 years B.C. In order to bring this aspect of the commencement of the new Yuga, our ancestors have been calling that day Yug-Adi, or the day of the beginning of a new era. We should also learn a different aspect, although not a very pleasant one. This particular day is also the one on which For Children s camp August 2003, K.Raghunandan 2
Krishna gave up his mortal body in a sacred place called Prabhas, near Dwaraka (in Saurashtra, Gujarat). "The word Yugadi means the day of the innauguration of the Yuga or Age. The spiritual discipline for each Age has been prescribed by the shastras (scriptures); for the Krita or the First Age, it is Dhyana; for the Treta, the second, it is Dharma; for the Dwapara, the third, it is Archana or Ritual Worship and for the present, the Kali Age, it is Namasmarana, the Repetition of the Name of God. So on the Yugadi day, you must dedicate your life anew to the discipline enjoined, and resolve to accept it and practise it to the utmost. This involves giving up all the habits that interfere with the constant remembrance of God." "The New Year comes regularly year after year. But do you have any new thoughts? You do not shed your old, mistaken ideas. They should be given up, yielding place to new, sacred and sublime thoughts. Of what use is it to celebrate new year days if you do not change your old ways of thinking and behaving?... The festival is commonly known by this name in the regions of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, this festival signifies the first day in the month of Chaitra. Since there is a usual difference of about 10 15 days between the solar and lunar calendar years, the festival is known as Chandramana Yugadi (Lunar Yugadi) or Sowramana Yugadi (Solar Yugadi). An important aspect of the new year celebration is Panchanga Shravana (or hearing the Panchanga). The book available widely in local languages, is the almanac that lists not only the calendar showing all the festival, but also the celestial positions of stars and calculation methods a branch of astronomy that Hindu system is very strong and has maintained the current calendar since 3102 years B.C. Philosophically, the eating of Bevu (Neem leaves) with Bella (Jaggary) signifies that both happiness and sorrow are part of life that we accept in every year. The practical aspect of this is that neem leaves are known for their strong antibiotic property and since they are too bitter, they are mixed with Jaggary (brown sugar) so that everyone can eat a small pinch of the mixture and thereby become less prone to the various infections that set in during the warm months. For Children s camp August 2003, K.Raghunandan 3
Navareh and Gudi Padva Navreh is the lunar New Year celebrated in Kashmir. The festival falls on the first day of the Chaitra Navratras which is the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra. This day is also the first day of the Sapath Rishi Samvat. The word 'Navreh' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Nav Varsha" meaning New Year. This year the festival is on 10th April (but will vary each year based on the Lunar calendar). On the previous day of the festival, the Kashmiri Pandits visit the sacred spring of Vichar Nag to take the holy dip to wash off all the impurities. After the dip, they take prasad. The prasad consists of round pieces of herb called Wye with homemade rice powder cakes. In Kashmir, people on 'Navreh' look at a bowl full of rice early in the morning as it symbolises riches and fertility and to have a plentiful future. The pandit family's Kulguru gives a new Kashmiri almanac which is known as Nechi (Nakshatra) Patri. This almanac contains information like auspicious dates and times, other festival dates and other important religious information. A scroll called 'Creel pach' which has a photo of Goddess Sharika is also given. In the evening, the housewife of the family prepares a big "Thali" (plate). The thali is filled and properly arranged with rice or paddy. On top are arranged the new almanac, kreel pach, dry flowers, fresh flowers, mirror, shelled & unshelled walnut, Wye herb, spouted grass, curds, pen, inkpot, cooked rice, roti, salt, gold and silver coins. This thali is covered by another plate and is kept aside till next morning. All the family members get new clothes to be worn on the New Year's day. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir. For Children s camp August 2003, K.Raghunandan 4
Navreh -- Celebrations Navreh is a festival of gaiety and colour. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Kashmiri Pandits. After the basic preparations on the eve of the New Year day, the next morning (on the New Year day), a boy or girl from a family takes the lid off the prepared thali. Then that person takes the thali first to the head of the family and then to others so that everyone can get a glimpse of all the things kept in the thali. The items in the thali signify a prayer for food, wealth and knowledge. In return, the person who is carrying the thali gets money as a gift from all the members who have seen the thali. Then, every family member picks up a few walnuts from the thali and puts the coconut in the river. After bath, people wear new clothes and a new thread for the festive occasion. The Hindu Pandits then go to the temple. Offering of yellow rice is made to Goddess Sharika by the head of the family and then the remaining rice is distributed as prasad to all the other members of the family. On this day, delicious Kashmiri dishes are prepared in all the houses. Relatives and friends are called for feast. People wish each other by saying "Navreh Mubarak". Youngsters receive gifts from elders. Newly wed brides are invited by their parents. They carry with them auspicious things like curd and sweets. In the evening, people go out for picnics. Nav Durga Pooja also commences in Kashmir from this day. The 9th day of Navratras is known as Ramnavmi. During these days, thousands of people visit Vaishno Devi and other Devi shrines in Jammu and Kashmir. Some people keep a fast for nine days and sow barley and worship Durga and Dash Mahavidhya. Gudi Padva Gudi means a banner to raised to announce victory and padva is the first day of a lunar month. The gudi is made at the entrance of homes in Maharashtra and is For Children s camp August 2003, K.Raghunandan 5 reminiscent of the valient Marathas returning home from their successful conquering expeditions of
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