A holiday familiar to Europe on the night of January 1st began to be celebrated in India relatively recently. Basically, this New Year is celebrated in large cities. It is considered secular, devoid of a religious basis, therefore, along with the new date, European traditions of celebration have taken root here. Enterprises organize corporate parties, young people party all night in cafes, restaurants and on the streets.
Despite innovations, India still does not have a unified New Year. This is all due to the same multinationality and diversity of religions. Here ancient traditions are still revered and celebrated folk holidays, but in different parts states - in their own way. Each of them has its own separate date, which is the starting point and symbolizes the beginning of the next year. It is precisely such celebrations that are considered by the majority of the population to be the “real” New Year.
The months and dates for the holidays are not taken at random - they have a historical and religious background. If we take into account that in different provinces the same celebration falls on different dates, then there are about a dozen “New Years” in total.
Here are the most popular:
- Lori falls on January 13-14 and symbolizes the end of winter. It is celebrated in the north of the country.
- Vishu, Gudi Padwa or Ugadi is the New Year celebrated by adherents of Hinduism, so it is common in many parts of the state, but most of all in the south. The date of the holiday is determined by lunar calendar. In some provinces it coincides with the spring solstice, which is March 20-22. Where the Gregorian calendar is followed, Gudi Padwa is celebrated in mid-April.
Attention! If you find yourself passing through the state of Kashmir at the beginning of spring, be prepared to celebrate Vishu for a whole month, starting on March 10th.
- Vaisakhi is essentially the same holiday as Vishu; it is celebrated in mid-April. But under this name it is common in the northwestern state of Punjab, among the Sikhs inhabiting it.
- Bohag Bihu is the New Year festival of the Assamese people who live in eastern India. The celebration falls on April 15, and the first day is called Goru Bihu, which translates as “Cow Festival.”
- Diwali is one of the main holidays in India, which many call the “autumn New Year”. It is celebrated at the end of October - beginning of November in different parts of the country.
India is also amazing because you can visit the past, present, and future in one state. This is due to the fact that the country has several chronology systems. One of the most popular calendars here is the Samvat calendar. The coming year 2017 according to it is 2074-2075. The Gregorian calendar is also widespread; publishers of many magazines and books rely on it. But according to the One national calendar, adopted more than half a century ago with the aim of streamlining chronology, 1939 will soon come in India.
Traditions and customs of Indian New Year holiday
Although all celebrations have different traditions and rituals, they are celebrated brightly, cheerfully, on an unprecedented scale. It’s not for nothing that in India itself, big holidays are called festivals. If the family prefers a quiet dinner with family and friends, then vegetarian dishes flavored with spicy seasonings are usually placed on the table. The local population believes: the more spices, the happier and more joyful the coming year will be. The traditional New Year's dish here is rice with vegetables.
Getting rid of old things is a custom that is common not only in Italy, but also in India. Clothes and shoes, as well as furniture and other household items, fly from the windows.
Attention! Walking under the windows at this time is dangerous!
In some Indian states, outdated wardrobes are burned, in others they are simply thrown away. It is better not to lift other people's things - it is considered to be bad luck.
In southern India, this tradition is popular: mothers put gifts, fruits and sweets for their children on a special tray. In the morning, on the first day of the new year, children are brought to him. So that the child does not see ahead of time what is prepared for him, he must sit with his eyes closed and patiently wait for his turn.
Residents of the northern states celebrate the New Year by decorating themselves with flowers - white, purple, pink, red, and in the central part of the country orange dominates. During the day you can see bright flags of this shade everywhere, and at night you can admire the twinkling lights on the roofs.
Another ritual that is common in Central India is the burning of an effigy or a decorated tree. Role Christmas tree doesn't play here at all coniferous plant, and mango or banana. During the festivities, you can see costumed carnival processions and take part in competitions to determine the best archer. Right on the streets, folk theater actors perform episodes from Indian epics and skits telling about the life of the gods. And on New Year's holidays in India they really like to fly kites into the sky. People believe that if you make a wish during the launch, it will definitely come true.
There are also special traditions that are typical for specific holidays:
- Lori is something between Maslenitsa and Old New Year: during the holiday, a fire is lit, and in the morning children go around houses, sing songs and demand a “ransom” (money or sweets);
- Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by lighting many lanterns. Also on these days, they try to please the goddess of wealth Lakshmi: they pray to her and offer milk with coins dropped into it;
- On the day of Gudi Padwa, one can see village houses smeared with cow dung. And a festive meal is not complete without the bitter leaves of the neem tree: by eating them, Indians hope for health and well-being.
Walking on coals, jumping over a fire, religious dancing - all these traditions also accompany the New Year celebrations in India. If you want something not authentic, but modern, it is better to go to Goa. This popular one offers guests a sea of electronic music, many discos and meeting tourists from different countries. But in any case, regardless of the time and place, the New Year in India is always a bright, unforgettable event, a holiday that, in the diversity of its traditions, is certainly not like any other.
Traditions of New Year celebrations in India: video
Reading time: 3 minutes. Views 255 Published 11/01/2012
Alluring and amazing India constantly attracts more and more tourists into its arms, and this is not surprising - in this country everyone can find something for themselves. Some are interested in the colorful characters of Bollywood, while others want to see with their own eyes the incomparable culture of this unusual country.
Some people go to improve their physical health with the help of yoga and Ayurveda, while others go for psychological and spiritual balance and engage in various spiritual practices.
Regardless of the reasons that motivate you to go to India, this is a great decision. The best time to visit this magical country of India is the New Year holidays, because New Year in India - this is extraordinary!
What is the best part of India to go to?
The winter months in India are characterized by wonderful weather specifically for. While enjoying the spiritual and cultural richness of India, you can also enjoy a beach holiday. The most popular for this time are the state of Kerala, which is rich in its Ayurvedic traditions, and a party resort option. The Andaman Islands are happy to welcome those who are attracted by a holiday on the very shore of the ocean and lovers too.
Golden Triangle
For lovers of excursion tourism, the cities of the famous “Golden Triangle” - Jaipur, Agra and . It will take at least a week to explore them, and celebrating the New Year nearby is the ultimate dream for anyone who is interested in the East.
Who is a holiday in India suitable for?
It suits absolutely everyone, but most of all India will like it open people who are ready for adventure and easy-going.
Note
In India, there is a rule according to which one should not be dissatisfied, grumpy and irritable on the first day of the new year. In India they believe that as the first day of the year passes, so will the rest of the year. Therefore, we recommend that you spend the first day of the New Year on the attractive shores of the exciting Indian Ocean.
Popular wisdom says that the very first day of the year predetermines all subsequent 364. Therefore, it is customary to greet the new calendar cycle with noisy festivities. Many people spare no expense to celebrate the New Year at a richly decorated table. Well, what about travel? Without chimes, but also without snowdrifts outside the window, in some tropical countries on the shores of a warm sea? Sounds tempting. And although we have already missed the celebration of the World New Year 2015, all is not lost. After all, there is such a country as India. In this amazing region, a significant event occurs four times a year. And in some states, even more often. Let's explore how New Year is celebrated in India. Maybe we can figure it out and also take part in the enchanting fun?
Why so many
India is a multicultural country. People of different faiths live side by side with Hindus, who form the religious majority. These are Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. And everyone doesn't mind celebrating. But what is not celebrated in India at all is this. But this only means that there are still very few Russian tourists in the country, and they have not informed the local population about such a wonderful opportunity to welcome the arrival of January 14th. The New Year, traditional throughout the world, began to be celebrated in India relatively recently. The festivities take place on the greatest scale in the state of Goa - recently there this event takes place in conjunction with Christmas and the Adoration of the Magi, that is, everything is permeated with Christian spirituality. But the Hindu calendar also has enough New Years. They are celebrated in February, April, May, and also in October.
Holi
The date February 24 is also New Year. In India, Holi is celebrated in all states. This is an official day off. Another name for Holi is the “Festival of Colors”. On this day, people of all ages sprinkle colorful powder made from crushed Ayurvedic medicinal herbs on each other. Cleaned houses are decorated with lamps and lights. Orange flags are flying. On this day it is customary to wear pink, red, white and purple clothes. The culmination of the celebration is the burning of a large effigy or tree decorated with garlands. Unlike Europeans, Hindus perform religious rituals - pujas - on New Year's Day. In temples, as well as in homes, the gods of love - Kama and Krishna - are also honored. Well, then they go on a visit or sit down festive table the whole family.
Gudi Padwa
Another New Year in India falls in the spring. It does not have an exact date, since it is tied to the lunar calendar, like our Easter. But for Hindus, with his arrival, the first month of the year begins - Medam (mid-March - first half of April). It marks a new agricultural cycle. Gudi Padwa (or Vishuvela festival) is celebrated especially in the state of Kerala. Carnival parades take place there. People dress up in banana leaf skirts and cover their faces with masks. The holiday lasts five days. In the first, offerings are made to sacred cows, in the second, gifts are given to relatives. The third day - Gosain Bihu - is reserved for religious ceremonies. Based on the results of the carnival processions, Bihu Kanvori, the best dancer, is selected. The locals are very religious, and you need to remember this when you come to celebrate the New Year in India. Traditions dictate not only having fun and throwing fireworks into the sky, giving and receiving gifts, but also honoring various deities. Because it was on this day that another character of the Hindu Olympus defeated the demon on duty.
India for the New Year: 2015 according to the Shaka calendar
For a long time the country lived according to its own calendar. The year began with the month of Chaitra, or more precisely, with the vernal equinox (March 22). Each region of India has a different name for this holiday: Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Panchanga Sravana in Andhra, Nadu in Tamil. But in the state of Kashmir, this New Year is celebrated for a particularly long time. Celebrations begin and continue until April. All this time, fun continues in Kashmir, accompanied by fairs.
Diwali, or Festival of Lights
This joyful event is celebrated in October. Hindus believe that on this day Prince Rama defeated the evil demon Ravan and took back his kidnapped wife Sita. In honor of the victory of light over darkness, people light thousands of lamps. And the day after Diwali comes New Year. To consider this holiday as an analogue of January 1st is not everywhere. Basically, the New Year in October is celebrated by the Gujarati people, while other Indians simply celebrate Diwali. But after the Festival of Lights comes Bestu Varas (Varsha Pratipada). According to Gujarati beliefs, Krishna himself once saved their people from destructive downpours and gave them a bountiful harvest. Therefore, tradition dictates celebrating the New Year with a tray of fruit. Well, in the evening the sky explodes with the noise of firecrackers and fireworks.
India, New Year, tours
If you want to celebrate a holiday according to the pan-European calendar, then it makes sense to do it in some tropical country. Recently, the night from December 31 to January 1 is considered a holiday everywhere. This is a joyful event that unites people of different faiths and atheists. Therefore, wherever you go, thousands of local residents will be celebrating the most important night of the year with you. But each country has its own characteristics to celebrate this date. For example, the state of Goa. The most Catholic region of the country, about which even local residents say that this is not quite India. Goa, where the New Year always leaves a lot of the most joyful impressions, is also good on weekdays. But during the Christmas period it is something special! That's why tours go there. Discos on the shore of the warm sea, light breeze and shining lights. All celebrations are not without certain European symbols - Christmas trees, Santa Clauses and reindeer. Since winter is the peak season in Goa, it makes sense to book tours in advance. This way you can save money by booking early.
We invite you to the most atmospheric New Year's trip, which we will celebrate in Indian Venice with fireworks, music, dancing, gifts and Indian delicacies. But that’s not all: we will see the colorful capital of Delhi, the city from the book “Shantaram”, thousands of temples of Hampi, best beaches Goa, we will visit the jungle, waterfalls and many other interesting things.
What will we do on the tour?
DIVE INTO THE REAL INDIA
We will study the culture and traditions of India, become real Indians for a while, merge with the local flavor, and you will feel like a real traveler, making discoveries every minute, experience the excitement of adventure and gain useful personal experience.
THE MOST AFFORDABLE AND ACTUAL TRAVEL
Everyone can afford our trips, because we want as many people as possible to realize the trip of their dreams. Instead of staying in a hotel, we'll explore sacred wells and spend evenings on a rooftop in an elephant village, we'll visit colorful local cafes and practice yoga in the foothills of the Himalayas. We will look at all facets of India - from expensive hotels to slums, from ancient temples to modern megacities, from the Himalayas to the beaches of Goa!
INDIVIDUAL APPROACH AND FRIENDLY COMPANY
You will receive assistance from purchasing a convenient flight and visa to things in your backpack. We take small groups so that the trip always feels like a trip with friends. All the time you will have an experienced guide with you - a traveler, or even a friend - a traveler, who will answer all your questions, serve as a translator, conduct the coolest excursions and will not let anyone get bored!
Gallery
Detailed program
Delhi: 1 day
We meet in the capital of India - Delhi and set off to explore the most noisy and diverse city of India. Let's have a tuk-tuk race, because today we are waiting for the magnificent Bahai Lotus Temple and the monumental temple complex - Akshardam, which is a real pinnacle of the art of construction. On the way, we will see the colorful capital, taste the best Indian cuisine, soak in the aroma of spices and temple incense and see how poverty and untold wealth coexist here, luxury cars and the ubiquitous rickshaws, carts and cows, the atmosphere of an oriental bazaar and the incessant music of mantras.
Agra: 1 day
From Delhi we will travel to Agra to the extravagant monument of Love - the Taj Mahal. Here we will explore the grandest structure from all angles, have a photo shoot in saris and turbans, visit the Red Fort, where the Indian army is still based, and then have dinner on the rooftop with a view of the sunset, which is truly beautiful against the backdrop of the mausoleum.
Udaipur: 3 days
To celebrate the New Year in a special way, we will go to one of the most beautiful places in the world - the Venice of India, the city of Udaipur! Where we will celebrate our favorite holiday in a cozy restaurant on the roof, with best view to the romantic Lake Pichola, along which are the snow-white palaces of the Maharajas and beautiful ancient temples. As in an oriental fairy tale, we will dance to the fiery Indian music, not forgetting to try all the traditional delicacies and drinks. And, of course, we will blow up the night with fireworks and fireworks, as well nice gifts to remember this magical moment for a long time. The next day, in a festive mood, we will go on a boat ride on the lake, along the banks of which there are carved marble attractions: the City Palace, the Lake Palace and the Jagdish Temple, in the evening we will enjoy traditional dances, delicious Rajasthani cuisine and a beautiful sunset that can be seen at the top Monsoon Palace.
Mumbai: 2 days
A huge metropolis on the ocean with its incomparable flavor and mixture of different cultures. Welcome to the world from the book “Shantaram” (by the way, we will also visit the Leopold Cafe), the architecture of colonial Britain, the Zoroastrian towers of silence, an unforgettable journey across the ocean to Elephanta Island to the ancient caves. And of course, we will walk through the world's largest slums of Dharavi with a local guide who will show all the most amazing places, and also don’t forget to watch real Indian cinema in the center of Bollywood!
North Goa (Arambol): 2 days
Hello, hello, sandy paradise beaches, warm ocean and coconut palm trees providing shade for complete happiness! It is the center of trance parties, unbridled partying and, of course, exceptional local culture. The place where you will meet completely different people: from hippies to ordinary Russian tourists. Take a bike and fly to where you want to go - to complete freedom! You will be charged with positive energy and good mood for the whole year ahead!
Hampi: 2 days
A small village in the middle of the ancient ruins of the majestic Vijayanagara. Once upon a time, one of the greatest southern empires flourished here. For every thousand inhabitants there are three thousand temples carved in local stone. This is a world where little has changed since ancient times: peasants work in flooded rice fields, fishermen fish in the same round bamboo boats in which their ancestors fished 400 years ago. All around you are landscapes from a movie, the atmosphere of an ancient civilization and you - with a camera in your hands, a smile on your face and the look of a person who has discovered a new amazing world!
South Goa (Palolem): 3 days
Wild sandy beaches await us, where you can practice yoga and meditation.
This is the perfect place to grab a kayak and swim with pods of dolphins into the sunset. We will also take a walk to the turtle beach and ride along a river with mangrove trees, where we will feed real sea eagles. We give free rein to swimming, beach relaxation, and also a Hawaiian and Ayurvedic massage awaits us. There is beautiful nature around, serene silence and harmony.
Other days
Included in price
- Organization of travel, assistance at all stages: from buying a plane ticket to things in a backpack.
- Entrance fees to all attractions
- Meals (3 meals a day of your choice from the Indian menu)
- Spiritual practices (yoga by the ocean)
- Wellness (Ayurvedic massage)
- Flexible routes, we can change the program and add places according to general desire
- All hotels (double occupancy in traditional Indian hotels and family guesthouses)
- Themed entertainment (mehendi hand painting from real Indian masters, traditional dances, Indian cinema and much more)
- Accompanied by the best and funniest guide throughout your trip to India
- All transfers (trains, buses, taxis, moto-rickshaws)
- Active recreation (trekking around the forts, kayaking, boat trip to Butterfly beach, jeeping to the Dauladsahar waterfall, paragliding if desired))
- Non-tourist places, meeting our Indian friends
- 7 days Delhi - Udaipur - Mumbai $700
- 10 days Delhi - Udaipur - Mumbai - North Goa $800
- 15 days Delhi - Udaipur - Mumbai - North Goa - Hampi - Bagwan Mahavir (Dudsagar) - South Goa $900
- Convenient payment system:
- 1. $190 - book a place in a group*
- 2. $300 - balance of org. collection 30 days before travel
- 3. Take the rest of the money with you to India
- *Prepayment is made in rubles at the current Central Bank exchange rate
Not included in price
- flight to Delhi ($400 - $500)
- flight Goa-Delhi ($60-80)
- visa ($25)
- insurance ($10-15)
- personal expenses on a tour to Goa (shopping, souvenirs, etc.)
Flights
The average cost of a flight from Moscow to Delhi and back is about 35,000 rubles.
Travel expert
Maxim is the organizer of author's travels and tours - dives in India and Nepal! Travel is a triple delight: anticipation, fulfillment and memory. And if we are talking about India, then all emotions can be safely multiplied by ten! A real Immersion in INDIA awaits you! We will go to the country where civilization was born more than 5000 years ago, to the birthplace of chess, yoga, algebra and geometry, Ayurveda, the sacred Vedas and Sanskrit, the country where Buddha preached and the Dalai Lama lives, where the great Himalayas are located and the Ganges River flows. , home to more than 1 billion people, 80% of whom are vegetarians. This is a place of contrasts and colors, a concentration of ancient knowledge and enormous spiritual energy mixed with slums and the smells of spices. This is another world with its own traditions and sounds, indescribable beauty and exceptional culture, a place so mysterious and enigmatic that it will take more than one trip to get to know and understand it, and you will want to come back here again and again. Our idea is to organize the most affordable atmospheric travel in India and Nepal. But this is not some usual sightseeing tour with dull excursions and a boring guide, but real adventures in a friendly company of friends and like-minded people who will pull you out of your everyday routine and return home a changed person! We will visit the most interesting non-tourist routes that will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the centuries-old cultures of these countries, bring peace and the feeling that your dreams are beginning to come true! hide
Write to a travel expert
Reviews (7)
All the guides Maxim, Kristina, Katya are great, they know a lot, they are active and positive. Complaints to the organizer - Book the cheapest guesthouses with ratings below the plinth sa. I independently booked very decent hotels in Goa (Palolem) and Delhi for little money. The transfers could be more comfortable. For example, a compartment instead of a reserved seat, a flight from Udaipur to Mumbai instead of a 16 hour bus.
To the site from September, 2019
“New Year in India” is a real gift. We had a great time. Very good organizers Kristina and Maxim, very attentive, responsive, trying to hear you each and take into account personal interests and desires. It should be noted that they themselves are very deep, compassionate, generous, kind and joyful. There is a lot to learn from them, I admired their deepest calm and steadfastness in any situation, and kindness simply shines from their hearts. If you doubt whether it’s worth going, whether they’ll deceive you, whether it will be interesting, or some other thoughts are swarming in your head, then the answer is an unequivocal “YES” - it’s 100% worth it, they’re great, they love their job and live by it. In India, everyone gets what they want. It changes us from the inside, the picture of the world, the sensations of the world, the vision of the world, and of course it changes personal values. When you come to India, you come back changed. Which one? And everyone will answer this question themselves. Someone will become kinder, someone will look at things deeper, someone will feel the value of life, someone will become more compassionate, someone will be more patient, someone will learn to accept everything as it is, someone will become wiser, and someone will begin to be immensely grateful for what they have and will be able to appreciate the gifts that have been given to them truly and deeply. You can see a lot of wonderful, beautiful, magical and beautiful things there, and perhaps something else. After all, it no longer depends on the place where we come, but solely on us, on those actions, words and thoughts that we did, said and thought earlier; what we brought into the world inevitably returns to us. I thank India, Maxim and Christina, my husband Alexander and all the guys who taught me a lot and without each of you everything would have been different. I love you, dear ones, and may everything with a “+” sign be with you.
Hello everyone, I was in India for the New Year, and I went to this country for the first time. The journey began from Delhi, which at first gave me some strange impression. smoldering. Let's say Delhi is not the cleanest city in terms of ecology... however, after visiting the Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Sikh Gurudwara, trying Indian cuisine and just walking along the streets and looking at the way of life of people in Delhi - my impression began to change for the better. Next was Agra. Our hotel was located next to the Taj Mahal, where on the first night I was overcome by some strange feeling... I sat on the roof of the hotel, looked at the Taj Mahal at night and could not tear myself away from it for about an hour... after which I realized that there was some unearthly, attractive forces... And from that moment I began to understand that India is something special, maybe even magical... Then Jaipur. We stopped in the suburbs, in a house where an Indian family lives. The hostess prepared excellent food for us herself. In the house I felt the hospitality and comfort of this family, they are wonderful... Mumbai. This city is something special and crazy at the same time. Here I began to enjoy the Indian flavor, architecture... Arambol - we lived in rooms on the seashore... It was unforgettable to wake up and fall asleep to the sound of the sea... Fireworks for the New Year - it was a miracle!!! Hampi - we walked through the local villages and studied the way of life of the peasants, saw how they still cultivate the land with plows and oxen, grow rice, etc. Palolem - unforgettable evenings in a bar on the seashore overlooking the sunset - this place is divine!!! We visited a lot of sights on our route, we went through a lot together. Thanks to the group. In this review, I did not describe the feelings from each attraction that we visited on this trip, because... Each attraction is something special, mysterious, full of impressions and full of history and special energy. India... you can study it, study it, study it... each time discovering new things about yourself and yourself... I returned with a lot of positive energy from this trip!!! Thanks to Katya, Maxim, Christina - the trip was organized very thoughtfully down to the smallest detail!!! With their help, I learned a lot of insider information about this wonderful country, which is very important for a beginner, I always felt informed in advance, and the intensity of the trip, leisure time and care was felt throughout the entire trip!!!
If you want to get there on time New Year's holidays in a completely new and unusual environment, go to the resorts of India. The country of contrasts will give you an unforgettable experience in the New Year.
How do they celebrate New Year in India?
Many holidays in this country are tied to religious dates. Since the New Year does not have such a connection, it is already characterized by modern traditions and customs. Local and visiting youth often celebrate the New Year in clubs, restaurants or at parties. For those tourists who are looking for in this bright family holiday something unusual, we advise you to pay attention to carnivals and processions, which have already become a tradition for many Indian states.
For example, in Goa, where the local population is about 25% Catholic, the New Year is somewhat reminiscent of the traditional celebration of Christmas by Europeans, only instead of a beautiful Christmas tree, in Goa the festive outfit is put on a mango tree. New Year's processions in India take place on a grand scale typical for this country. For example, on the streets you can meet archers competing with each other, or admire the ability of local yogis to walk on hot coals.
History of New Year in India
In Hinduism there are no holidays similar to the New Year. At the same time, there are several similar traditional events that can be comparable in scope and significance to the New Year. In particular, we are talking about the autumn holiday Diwali dedicated to fire and light. As a rule, thousands of lanterns and candles are lit on the streets of the city, illuminated boats float along the rivers, and the soundtrack in the form of fireworks repeats the thunder of the New Year with amazing accuracy.
Diwali lasts for several days. All this time, local residents praise the goddess of prosperity Lakshmi. The holiday is considered a family holiday, but mass celebrations on the streets are not prohibited, especially since a large number of Indian families take part in them.
What date is New Year in India?
The traditional New Year for India takes place in the spring, and the date of this holiday depends on the location. In some states it is March 26, in others it is April 13, and so on. This New Year is tied to the lunar calendar. There are different names for this holiday - Vaisakhi, Vishu, Ugadi. The aforementioned Diwali takes place in October and is today called the “autumn” New Year to avoid confusion.
They decided to celebrate their own New Year in Northern India. There, during our Old New Year (January 13-14), the Lori festival takes place.
Since India is a popular tourist destination, the New Year in India is celebrated on December 31, when millions of tourists can plunge into the atmosphere of their favorite holiday taking place under the bright rays of the sun.
Traditions and customs of celebrating the New Year holiday
The first day of almost any major festival in India should be accompanied by good behavior. A person should not be irritable, rude or harsh. It is interesting that, just like in our country, in India, local residents believe that they will spend next year the same way as its first day.
Different variations of the New Year have their own customs. For example, during the Lohri holiday it is customary to light fires around which the parikrama ritual is performed, simply put, a round dance.
In addition to the traditional walking on coals or colorful processions, in India you can see such unusual performances as swinging of statues of gods on swings.
New Year's Indian table
Traditional dishes are typical for each of the holidays similar to the New Year. On January 13-14, during Lohri, Indians eat corn and baked rice. In spring and autumn, raita always appears on the tables of local residents - a kind of okroshka, which is prepared in accordance with the national recipe.
Another popular dish for many festivals in India is Biryani. This is pilaf with lamb, vegetables, nuts, fruits, and of course, world-famous Indian spices are added to this pilaf. For dessert you will be offered whipped cream with ginger.
New Year gifts in India
The tradition of exchanging gifts has taken root in many countries. India was no exception. Here it is customary to give a variety of decorations and culinary dishes (especially sweets, fruits and nuts) throughout the entire period of a particular holiday. Let us remember that the New Year is celebrated several times in India, and each holiday can last several days or weeks.
Symbols and decorations of Indian New Year
India is known all over the world for its riot of colors in clothing and other external attributes. City streets are also colorfully decorated during various holidays. Modern multi-colored lighting is complemented by classic decorations - bright bonfires and candles.
Interestingly, among traditional jewelry During Indian New Year celebrations, costumes made from dried banana leaves stand out. Such outfits are worn together with a mask that well covers the face of the brave owner of the banana suit.
For travelers traveling to India, a unique opportunity opens up to attend one or several New Year holidays. This way you can not only relax on the ocean, but also plunge into an amazing festive atmosphere. The company "Ayurveda Tour" offers its tourists an original tour "Diwali Holiday" - you can find out more about the tour and also book it.
