Celebrating Spring : New Dawn

Happy Festive Season dears, call it Vishu, Baisakhi, Bihu, Poila Boishak,  Puthandu or something else. 

It is connoted to the celebration of spring equinox in the past.  It's that time of the year, when flowers bloom, 

and people across the country and outside celebrate the advent of spring, and harvest with vigour and fervour. Nature is our divine mother, and when she blossoms we express our joy and gratitude

Across the man made borders, symbolizing  we are one.The New Dawn for may of us. 

Baisakhi: Harvest Festival or Punjab: 

The northern state of Punjab, Haryana and parts of Delhi celebrate this day with much fanfare. People get together and perform bhangda and gidda on traditional folk songs and dol. Men show their gatka skills (traditional form of Martial arts of the sikh) The Sikh community also observes it as the day of Thanks giving, for abudent  harvest and pray for future prosperity. 

Bihu: Harvest Festival of Assam: 

Bohag Bihu is celebrated across Assam and parts of Manipur and Bengal. The Assames celebrate Bihu thrice a year, signifying the distinct cycles of framing - Bhogali/Magh Bihu (January), Bohag/ Ranholi Bihu (April), and Kongali Bihu (October) with various delicacies like Mangsho, Cira and Pitha. There is singing, feasting, exchanging gifts, seeking blessings from elders, and performing the traditional Bihu dance on this day. 

Puthandu: Tamil New year: 

As per the Tamil Calendar, Varsha Pirappu, Puthandu marks the first day of the first month (Chithirai), The night before the auspicious day, a tray full of flowers, fruits, betel leaves, gold & silver ornaments and cash are kept in the prayer room (Credit cards are yet not accepted!) It is believed that if you open your eyes the next morning to these auspicious arrangements, you will have happiness and prosperity for the rest of the year. Any auspicious occassion, there is Kolam (colourful design on the floor made with a paste of rice and water)

Poila Boishakh: According to the Bengali Calender, the first day of the first month, is Baisakh.  

People Thank the divine forces for the harvest of the previous year and that to follow. Houses are decorated with Rangoli, Colourful designs on the floor, in their courtyards made with a paste of rice and water, (Called Alpona) Families get together on this auspicious day, and celebrate the new year with Bengali songs, and dance in traditional attires.

Ugadi/Gudi Padwa: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana  New Year : 

Gudi Padwa also known as Samvastar Padvo is celebrated as the first day of the year by Maharashtrains and Konkanis. In Karnataka and Andhra, The Gudi Padwa day is celebrated as Ugadi. It is a belief that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravana and people welcomed him by raising flags ( Gudi)

Vishu: Malayalam New Year: 

Vishu is the festival of lights and fireworks that is celebrated in Kerala and parts of Karnataka. People decorate their houses with Diya and burst firecrackers (locally called Vishupadakam). The tradition of Vishu includes the first auspicious view of the festive day known as  Vishukanni Kazhcha, Kaineetam is given to all members which is the symbolic sharing of the prosperity and wishing happiness for all; this is the first gift of the new year, some wear new cloths called puthukodi, and the celebration is incomplete without the Sadhya, feast comprising of food items that are sweet, sour, salty and bitter. 

Today is new year day, not only in some places in India, but also Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Thailand. The route of Rajaraja Chola. 

And it's spring not only in places in the Asian Sub continent but a lot many more places across the globe. Some Spring Pictures across continents:

Daffodils in green park London.

 From Sai in Seattle

My Vishu 12 years before  in US

When people migrate, they try to recreate and use artificial things to give a home feeling. But that is not what is needed. We need to celebrate nature. When in Rome do as the Roman's do, use the natural flowers and fruits of where you are. 

This day is a reminder to live in the moment, that it's a new day and this too will pass away and when it  comes again it's not going to be the same. This year in particular, lets not add coronamela to the festivity. 

May there be peace, happiness, harmony, health and prosperity in every body's life. Stay Safe. Take Care. Happiness Humesha. Live in the moment.