Pop sensation Britney Spears is visiting “God’s Own Country“, also known as the state of Kerala on India’s southern Malabar coast for her New Year’s eve celebrations. Forbes’ Magazine 13th most powerful celebrity does not have a strong following in India but is reportedly recording a new album with Kerala dances as the backdrop. Kerla residents do celebrate January 1st as a new year. But the day of Vishu is celebrated as “real” New Year’s Day in this part of the country. It is celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. Offerings to the divine called Vishukanni are neatly arranged on the eve of the festival and consist of rice, linen, cucumber, betel leaves, holy texts, coins and yellow flowers called konna..
People ask me, the India Expert, “When is your Indian New Year?”.
Well as usual there is no straightforward answer to most questions about India. There are many, many new years in this diverse country (and people want to celebrate multiple days, given the Indian penchant for holidays and celebration). For example, Ugadi is celebrated as New Year Day in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in the Spring. It is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra where India’s largest city, Mumbai is located. In the northern India state, this day is called Navreh.
Puthandu, also known as Varusha pirappu, is celebrated as New Year’s Day in Tamil Nadu,where Chennai, another large city is located . It is generally celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai, which falls in mid April. The same day is known Mahabishuba Sankranti in the eastern state of Orissa, and is celebrated as the Oriya New Year.
India’s government also follows multiple calendars, the Gregorian (western) and the Saka (based on one of the Hindu calendars). so you don’t a straight answer in Delhi either.
Here is more data on the subject, if you are not befuddled yet. Or as Britney Spear migh have said in 2001 (You Drive Me) Crazy!.
But if I measure by the number of new year greetings I receive from India based contacts, January 1 probably get 95% of them. My India cell phone is off since I am in California right now. Else I would start getting bombarded by hundreds of text messages starting at the stroke of midnight IST.
