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New Year festivals in India are celebrated differently across the country, reflecting its rich cultural diversity. Unlike the Western New Year, these festivals follow regional calendars with deep historical and religious significance. Each festival marks the beginning of a new year for different communities. It brings hope, joy, and traditions that have been followed for centuries. People clean their homes, prepare festive meals, visit temples and participate in cultural events. These famous Indian festivals and their significance highlight the country’s traditions, making them an essential part of India’s festival calendar.
Top 10 New Year Festivals In India
Here are the 10 New Year Festivals in India that celebrate culture, tradition, and new beginnings, displaying the country’s varied heritage:
1. Baisakhi
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Baisakhi is celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year, marking the beginning of the Sikh New Year. The festival is significant for both Sikhs and farmers in Punjab, as it also represents the harvest festival of rabi crops. Historically, Baisakhi is important because Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, established the Khalsa Panth on this day in 1699. This was a turning point in Sikh history, as it introduced the core values of courage, equality, and discipline among Sikhs. People wear bright traditional clothes, perform Bhangra and Gidda and enjoy festive food.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Punjab and parts of North India
Things To Do: Visit Gurudwaras, watch Bhangra performances, enjoy Punjabi cuisine, attend fairs, take part in Nagar Kirtans
Major Attractions: Golden Temple celebrations, community feasts, Bhangra and Gidda dance, harvest fairs
2. Navreh
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Navreh, the Kashmiri New Year, is the Hindu lunar calendar’s first day of Chaitra (March – April). The word “Navreh” is derived from “Nav Varsha,” meaning New Year. It has been an integral part of Kashmiri Pandit traditions for over 5000 years. The festival is associated with the legend of Goddess Sharika, who is believed to have blessed the land of Kashmir. To mark the occasion, families prepare a Navreh thali containing rice, flowers, a coin, a pen, a mirror and sacred texts. This plate is viewed first thing in the morning, symbolising prosperity and knowledge for the coming year.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Jammu and Kashmir
Things To Do: Prepare the traditional Thali, visit temples, offer prayers, spend time with family, cook festive meals
Major Attractions: Viewing of the Thali, traditional Kashmiri dishes, family gatherings, spiritual rituals
3. Pohela Boishakh
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Pohela Boishakh, celebrated on April 14 or 15, marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar. The festival dates back to the Mughal era, when Emperor Akbar introduced the Bengali calendar in 1584 to align tax collection with the harvest season. This day is considered auspicious for Bengalis, who begin new ventures and clear old debts. The celebration starts early in the morning with Prabhat Pheri, a procession with songs and cultural performances. Business owners perform Haal Khata, opening new account books and marking a fresh financial beginning. Women wear white sarees with red borders, and men dress in traditional attires.
Major State/s Of Celebration: West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Bengali communities worldwide
Things To Do: Attend cultural programs, visit fairs, enjoy Bengali sweets, wear traditional clothes, participate in Haal Khata ceremonies
Major Attractions: Processions, folk music and dance, traditional Bengali food, cultural performances
4. Losoong
Photo: Arian Zwegers / Wikimedia Commons
Losoong is celebrated in December and is one of the famous new year festivals in India. It marks the Sikkimese New Year and the end of the harvest season. The Bhutia and Lepcha communities mainly observe this festival. It has a deep spiritual and cultural connection with Tibetan Buddhism, as it also celebrates the passing of the old year and the welcoming of a new life cycle. One of the highlights of Losoong is the Cham dance, performed by monks in monasteries wearing colourful masks and robes. Families prepare delicacies like Khapse (fried biscuits) and Chhang (fermented millet beer).
Major State/s Of Celebration: Sikkim
Things To Do: Watch Cham dance performances, visit monasteries, take part in archery competitions, enjoy traditional Sikkimese cuisine
Major Attractions: Masked dance performances, monastery celebrations, archery contests, community feasts
5. Bestu Varas
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Bestu Varas is celebrated a day after Diwali, which marks the Gujarati New Year. This is one of the traditional new year festivals in India. This festival is rooted in ancient Hindu traditions and follows the Vikram Samvat calendar, starting on the first day of Kartik month (October – November). According to legend, Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura a day before, bringing the people of Dwarka happiness. It is a day of new beginnings. Businessmen perform Chopda Pujan, where they write their first accounts of the year, praying for a prosperous business.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Gujarat and among Gujarati communities worldwide
Things To Do: Visit temples, perform Chopda Pujan, light lamps, exchange sweets and gifts, meet family and friends
Major Attractions: Temple visits, traditional sweets like Ghughra and Basundi, cultural gatherings, New Year greetings
6. Gudi Padwa
Photo: Abhijit Tembhekar / Wikimedia Commons
Gudi Padwa, the Maharashtrian New Year, is a traditional new year festival in India. It falls on the first day of Chaitra (March – April). This festival is believed to mark the day Lord Brahma created the universe. It is also associated with Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. The festival is symbolised by raising the Gudi, a decorated pole with a cloth, mango leaves, and an inverted pot at the top, signifying victory and prosperity. The day begins with an oil bath, house cleaning, and prayers. Families prepare traditional sweets like shrikhand and puran poli, and cultural performances occur across Maharashtra.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Maharashtra and parts of Goa
Things To Do: Raise a Gudi, clean and decorate homes, prepare festive sweets, visit temples, take part in cultural events
Major Attractions: Gudi hoisting, traditional Maharashtrian food, cultural performances, street processions
7. Chaitra Sukladi
Photo: Seba Della y Sole Bossio / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Chaitra Sukladi marks the Hindu New Year and is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra month, according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar. This festival is a traditional new year festival celebration in India. It is significant because it is believed to be the day Lord Brahma started creating the universe. It is observed with temple visits, prayers, and family gatherings. Many people begin the day by listening to the recitation of Panchang (Hindu almanac), providing astrological predictions for the year. People prepare special meals and decorate their homes with flowers and lamps.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Northern states of India
Things To Do: Visit temples, perform prayers, prepare traditional dishes, spend time with family, read religious scriptures
Major Attractions: Temple rituals, community prayers, festive delicacies, traditional hymns
8. Ugadi
Photo: Kalyan Kanuri / Wikimedia Commons
Ugadi is celebrated in March or April, marking the Telugu and Kannada New Year. The festival signifies the beginning of the new lunar calendar, and many believe that Lord Brahma created time on this day. One of the main highlights is Ugadi Pachadi, a special dish made of six different ingredients. Each represents the varied emotions of life, sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty, and tangy. Families clean their homes, take an oil bath and visit temples to seek blessings. It is a day of renewal, positivity and joy.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka
Things To Do: Take an oil bath, prepare Ugadi Pachadi, visit temples, attend cultural events, spend time with family
Major Attractions: Ugadi Pachadi, temple prayers, cultural programs, traditional music and dance
9. Cheti Chand
Photo: Vishal124 / Wikimedia Commons
Cheti Chand is the Sindhi New Year, celebrated on the second day of Chaitra month (March – April). This festival is dedicated to Jhulelal, the patron saint of Sindhis, who is believed to have miraculously saved the community from a tyrant ruler in the 10th century. On this day, Sindhis perform Baharana Sahib, where they take an idol of Jhulelal on a decorated platform to a river, symbolising their gratitude. The festival is considered a time for new beginnings and spiritual renewal. Families prepare a traditional feast, including tairi (sweet rice) and visit temples to offer prayers.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Sindhi communities in India and worldwide
Things To Do: Offer prayers to Jhulelal, visit rivers or water bodies, participate in processions, prepare festive meals
Major Attractions: Jhulelal prayers, community feasts, processions, devotional songs
10. Sajibu Cheiraoba
Photo: Goumisao / Wikimedia Commons
Sajibu Cheiraoba is the Meitei New Year, observed in Manipur on the first day of the Sajibu month (March – April). The festival follows an ancient belief that beginning the year with purity and devotion brings prosperity. Families wake up early, clean their homes, and prepare a special meal. This includes chak-hao kheer (black rice pudding) and eromba (a local dish made with vegetables and fermented fish). One of the unique traditions of Sajibu Cheiraoba is climbing a nearby hill. This symbolises the desire for growth, success, and overcoming challenges in the coming year.
Major State/s Of Celebration: Manipur
Things To Do: Clean and decorate homes, offer prayers, cook festive dishes, climb hills for good fortune
Major Attractions: Hill climbing tradition, traditional Manipuri cuisine, temple prayers, family gatherings
New Year festivals in India show the country’s diverse traditions and cultural heritage. Each festival has a unique story and way of celebration, bringing families and communities together. Whether through prayers, rituals, or feasts, these traditional festival celebrations in India symbolise new beginnings. To explore these celebrations, plan a trip to the best places to experience Indian festivals with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Prakshobh / Wikimedia Commons
