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| Indian New Year Festivals: A Celebration of Culture and Harmony |
President Droupadi Murmu of India extends her warm greetings to the nation on the occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Cheiraoba. These festivals, marking the advent of spring and the Indian New Year, are celebrated across the country, symbolizing peace, harmony, and tolerance while showcasing India's diverse cultural heritage.
Chaitra Sukladi:
Chaitra Sukladi, the Hindu New Year's Day in parts of North India, falls on the first day of the Chaitra month. It is a time for religious ceremonies, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts and sweets.
Ugadi:
Ugadi, celebrated as the New Year in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, signifies the beginning of a new age. The highlight of Ugadi is the preparation of "Ugadi Pachadi," a mixture of six tastes symbolizing life's various experiences.
Gudi Padwa:
In Maharashtra, Gudi Padwa is celebrated as the traditional New Year's Day. People hoist a "Gudi," a decorated pole symbolizing victory and the arrival of spring, outside their homes and temples. The day is marked by wearing new clothes, preparing traditional dishes, and seeking blessings at temples.
Cheti Chand:
Cheti Chand, the Sindhi New Year festival, is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month. It holds particular significance for the Sindhi community, who worship Lord Jhulelal, their patron saint, by offering prayers and participating in processions.
Navreh:
Navreh, the Kashmiri New Year festival, is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month. It is a time for decorating homes with flowers, preparing traditional dishes, and visiting temples to offer prayers for prosperity.
Sajibu Cheiraoba:
Sajibu Cheiraoba is the Manipuri New Year festival, celebrated on the first day of the Sajibu month. It marks the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and is celebrated with the preparation of a special dish called “Chak-Hao” and traditional dances, alongside prayers for a prosperous year ahead.
These festivals, with their unique customs and traditions, reflect the rich tapestry of India's cultural diversity and serve as reminders of the values of peace, harmony, and unity that bind the nation together.