Guru Begins Anew

The significances are many but it eventually boils down to just one expression, that is, feeling happy and rejoicing on April 14. The day which is celebrated as the New Year by many communities across India comes as an occasion to celebrate life, nature and its being.

While North India observes Baisakhi, south India celebrates it as Varsha Parpu. It is a declared as an official holiday in West Bengal, as people observe Poila Baishakh (first day of the month of Baisakh).

"Apart from being the beginning of the Solar Year we celebrate the day for another reason. On this day, our 10th guru Guru Gobind Singhji organised the order of the Khalsa for the Sikhs. However, the day is also celebrated as the harvest festival when we thank the Almighty for giving us a good produce," says Jasbir Kaur, housewife, explaining the reason behind the celebrations.

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She adds that it is one of the major festivals and thus has specific songs and rituals for it. "Prabhat Pheri (processions), traditional celebrations and delicacies make it all the more special and awaited."

Speaking about the concept in South India, Shyamala Kumar, teacher, says, "It is our New Year Day and it holds lot of importance. Young girls below age of 10 go to the Ayappa temple and offer Deep Puja. We prepare Payasam, Wadai and Pachadi (a special preparation of raw mangoes). Pachadi is an offering of the seasonal fruit to God."

In Assam, the festival stretches throughout the month and celebrates the culture of the state along with the New Year. Rakhi Vora, who is from Assam says, "On the first day, people form the Bihu Group, which goes to every house in the locality and performs the Bihu dance. Every family organises the Meji (a bonfire at dawn) and offer chiwda, sugar and coconut as prasad. People also put banana leaves, betel leaves, diyas and sweets in their houses and offers prayers to it. Apart from the traditional rituals, concepts like selection of the Bihu queen/king also speaks volumes about its popularity amongst youth.”