From our Blog Archives...
The Indian New Years – Let’s celebrate the Diversity
India is a land of diversity with people having different cultures, languages, religions, dialects which changes after few hundred miles. This makes India unique with a colorful combination of amazing cultural diversity. Prasar Bharati having a unique feature of having offices/installations in more than 1500 locations is a true reflection of unity in diversity and it is a fact to be cherished. Even the Great Indian Railways do not have offices in such remote locations on the top of hills as the offices of Prasar Bharati. Prasar Bharati is not only present in every region but act relentlessly to preserve, promote and propagate the unique identities of these cultures from which every one of us can learn something about.
People of various region and sub regions celebrate their festivals and New Year day in their own unique way. Most of the Indian New Year days fall in Chaitra and Vaisakhi of Indian Lunar Calendar...............
The Indian New Years--Maha Bisuba Sankranti in Orissa
Maha Bisuba Sankranti, also known as Mesha Sankranti and Pana Sankranti is observed as the Odia New Year and this year it will be observed on 14th April. The day marks the beginning of the New Year in the traditional Hindu Solar Calendar .Lord Jagannath’s New Panchang starts from this auspicious day.......
The Indian New Years--Garia puja in Tripura
The essential unity underlying Tripura’s cultural diversity finds eloquent expression in adaptations across the barrier of language and heritage. The non-tribal Bengalis have appropriated the Kharchi Puja, annual weeklong worship in the temple of ‘ChaturdashDebta', a traditional festival of the indigenous tribals, in the month of July while tribals enthusiastically participate in and enjoy the festivities associated with the ‘Durga Puja'. Similarly, the beginning of the month of Vaishakh, the opening month of the Hindu calendar and Tripura Era both were celebrated as the New Yeaar by bothe the communities. It is HariBwisu, MahaBwisu and the starting of 7 day long Garia Puja for the tribals; while the plains people celebrate the CHARAK Puja on the last day of the year and New Year on the next day.Both men and women perform this puja to propitiate the deity for blessings.........
The Indian New Years--Jaya Nama Samvatsara in Tamilnadu
he traditional Tamil New Year generally falls on 14 April of the Gregorian year. 14 April marks the first day of the traditional Tamil Calendar year. In the calendar of 60 years cycle, the New Year 2014 is named as “Jaya Nama Samvatsara”. The most important event of Tamil New Year's Day is the reading of `Panchangam.' Vedic pandits and temple priests read out the panchangam early in the morning, preferably in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Called `Panchanga padanam,' the ritual is believed to invoke the blessings of the Almighty. Tamil people celebrate Tamil New Year on 14 April. This is the month of Chaitra, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar. In the temple city of Madurai, the Chittarai Thiruvizha (Festival) is celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple. A huge exhibition is held, called Chittarai Porutkaatchi. The day is marked with a feast in Tamil homes and entrances to the houses are decorated elaborately with Kolams(Color Rangoli) and fresh Mango leaves which symbolizes auspiciousness. In most parts of India, one can see neem trees blooming with their flowers and tiny fresh leaves, which purify the air and render a healthy touch and the first batch of mangoes hanging prominently.........
The Indian New Years--Rongali Bihu in Assam
Rongali Bihu (mid-April, also called Bohag Bihu), the most popular Bihu celebrates the onset of the Assamese New Year (around April 15) and the coming of Spring. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and is also observed in Bengal, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu though called by different names.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 ladies make pitha, larus (traditional food made of rice and coconut) and Jolpan which gives the real essence of the season..........
The Indian New Years--Baishagu of Boro community in Assam
Famous for its myriad colours and merriment, 'Baishagu' is generally celebrated by the Bodo Kacharis during mid April. It is the most cherished festival of the Bodo tribe. The Bodos also celebrate it as a springtime festival at the advent of the new year. The first day begins with worship of the cow. The next day which synchronises with the first day of the month of 'Bohag' of the Assamese almanac, the actual merriment begins with the young people of each household reverentialy bowing down to their parents and elders. The supreme deity 'Bathou' or Lord Shiva is worshipped during the festival by offering chicken and rice beer. In the Baishagu dance there is no age or sex bar, all are welcome to join in. The traditional musical instruments that are used in this dance festival are 'Khum' (drum), 'Jotha' (Manjari), 'Khawbang' (Taal), 'Gogona' (Mouth-organ) and 'Siphung' (Flute) etc. It is also customary at the time of closure of the Baishagu festival to offer community prayers at a particular place called 'Garjasali'..........
VISHU CELEBERATIONS BY AIR THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
In Kerala, the start of the Zodiac New Year when the sun enters into Sidereal Aries, Aswini nakshatra - is celebrated as Vishu. It is said the what one sees when one first opens on's eyes on Vishu morning is an indication of what one can expect in the year to come. Thus on Vishu, effort is made to assure one opens one's eye before an auspicious image - the Vishukkani...........
CEO extends good wishes to all colleagues
Wish all my colleagues the very best for Baisakhi, Poelaa Baisakh/Nabo Barsho, Gudi Padava, Navreh, Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Chait Sankranti, Vesak, Puthandu, Vishu, Bishu Baisakhi, Bihu, Maha Vishuva Sankrant, Bestu Varas, Cheti Chand, Chaitra Pratipad & Basoa. It's in our Vedic, Buddhist & regional popular traditions of India. - Jawhar Sircar
