Indian New Year: not one, but many!

2024-12-17 22:00 About India

Hello friends!

While the whole world is getting ready to welcome the new year 2025, let's go on a fascinating journey to India and find out how they celebrate the New Year there? Let's sit back, pour a cup of tea and immerse ourselves in this colourful kaleidoscope of traditions and celebrations.

To begin with, there is no single New Year in India.

Yes, yes, you heard us! Depending on the region and religious traditions, India celebrates New Year at different times. It's as if every month is January in a different part of the country. Let's familiarise ourselves with the most popular options.

Gudi Padwa and Ugadi

^{Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, the festival of spring and the beginning of the new harvest}

In Maharashtra and some southern regions like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, New Year is celebrated in March-April. It is a celebration of spring and the beginning of a new harvest. People decorate their homes with flowers and mango leaves, prepare sweets and fly gudi flags in the sky. It's also a great occasion to wear your most colourful outfits and dance a few fiery dances.

Poila Boishakh

^{Poila Boishakh Festival}

In Bengal, the New Year, known as Poila Boishakh, is celebrated in April. This is the time when even the most serious and thoughtful Bengalis turn into real fun-loving people. Everything starts with a general cleaning of the house and buying new outfits. There are colourful parades on the streets and traditional dishes from fish curries to sweet rasgullas appear on the tables.

Vishu

^{The altars during Vishukkani are a very colourful spectacle}

In Kerala, the New Year, known as Vishu, comes in April. The main event is the ‘Vishukkani’, or morning sighting. People prepare special altars with fruits, flowers and money to see this beauty first thing in the morning and attract good luck for the whole year. And then there are feasts and fireworks!

Diwali is the Indian New Year?

^{Diwali is the festival of lights}

Many of us have heard of Diwali, the festival of lights, often referred to as the Indian New Year. Although not technically true, Diwali has the same meaning for many Indians. It is celebrated in October-November and symbolises the victory of light over darkness. City streets and homes are decorated with thousands of lights, people give each other sweets and set off fireworks. Even cats' eyes seem to glow at this time in India!

Goa and the Catholic New Year

^{Catholic New Year in Goa}

Now let's move to Goa, where New Year's Eve is celebrated on the 31st of December like in most countries of the world. Goa, with its beaches and parties, becomes a paradise for fun lovers. Tourists and locals gather on the beaches to celebrate the New Year under the stars and the sound of the surf. There are fireworks, dancing and, of course, traditional Indian seafood dishes.

So which one to choose?

As you can see, everyone can find a New Year's Eve to their liking in India. It is a country where traditions intertwine with modernity and the diversity of cultures creates a unique holiday atmosphere. No matter what New Year's Eve you choose, you can be sure that a sea of smiles, bright colours and unforgettable impressions awaits you in India.

So friends, if you suddenly get the urge to celebrate the New Year a few times a year - now you know where to go! There is always room for one more celebration in India.

Your guide to the festivals of India

Indi Holidays team