Happy Hindu New Year

"Chittirai Piranthathe, Vuya Puttandum Malarthathe,
Ennangkal Niraivera, Kanavugal Meipada,
Vetrigal Pintondara, Inba Malai Poliya,
Iniya Puttandu Valtukal!!!"
(A new year greeting in Tamil)

Today is the Hindu New Year, yeap its today and for the less informed Deewali is not a new year celebration for the Hindus. Its ironic that despite geographically and cluturaly different during this period the Christians, the Hindus, the Sikhs, the Chinese have major significant celebrations.


The Hindu New Year's Day commences on the first day of the month called Chaitra or Chithirai. It is also called Chaitra Vishu for this reason. The occasion is said to be an auspicious one because, at this time, the sun enters the sign Aries of· the Zodiac. The people call the occasion Chaitra Vishu Punyakalam or, the sacred occasion


Why is the new year during this period??
The reason why the people in India compute the Indian year from this month when the sun enters Aries -- the ram in the signs of the Zodiac -- is said to be one philosophically derived from the science of cosmo-genesis. The Sanskrit word for 'ram' is aja which means 'that which is not born.' Therefore the sign of the Zodiac under reference stands for the ultimate cause of everything, and consequently the month in which the sun enters this sign is rightly considered to be the first month of the year. From time immemorial, the Hindu conception of an ideal life has been one of sacrifices and religious observances. Thus the information regarding the appropriate time for the observance of particular rites or ceremonies becomes important. This information is furnished by the Hindu astrologers and astronomers in the form of a calender called panchangams (off the net)

(masa kini version) The birth of a New Year is a whole new beginning and marks the time when the world awakens from it's wintry slumber. So almost all the Hindu New Year festivals fall on the beginning of the spring months when nature turns bountiful and blesses the earth with fruitful greenery. The beautiful flowers that bloom in spring, the early bird songs, the fresh harvests which are the fruits of past labour and the commencement of a new agricultural cycle . all these symbolise the dawn of another year. Thus, every colourful spring festival of the hindus, with all the expectations, apprehensions, hope and joy woven in the festivities, is essentially a New Year celebration.

Happy New Year All!!!!