"भारत" or "India" of today has an array of cultures spread accross a range of regions from Kashmir in the North to Kanyakumari in the South, from Kutch in the West to Kibithu in the East. Along with the language, outlook, wardrobe .... what also differs is the beginning of the new year for these clans.


India's numerous calendars count the days by the sun, the moon, a combination of the two, or by the Indian Zodiac of rashis, and beginning from several different Eras.

Some of the new calendar year day observed by the Hindus are,

January 1st
This is celebrated as the common beginning of the new year accross the globe.

Pongal
The Government of Tamil Nadu made Pongal day as the Tamil New Year in 2008. But majority of the calendars of the various Tamil communities continue to mark Tamil New Year on Chithira 1 (Mid-April).

Saka New Year
This New Year is based on the calendar followed by the Government of India. The New Year day in Saka calendar falls on March 21 or March 22. This calendar was adopted by the government in 1957 and continues to be based on the lunisolar calendar where each month is for 30 or 31 days.

Nyepi
Nyepi is the New Year in Bali Island in Indonesia. This calendar is also based on the Saka Era but with major regional variations. Nyepi is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date varies yearly.

Ugadi
Yugadi or Ugadhi is the New Year in Telugu and Kannada culture. The New Year day is observed on the first day of the month of Chaitra (March – April). This is a major event in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Ugadi is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date changes yearly.

Gudi Padwa
Gudi Padva is the Marathi New Year and is observed on the first day of the Chaitra month (March – April). It is a major celebration in Maharashtra and is also known as Shalivahan Shaka New Year. Gudi Padwa is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date changes yearly.

Nav Varsh Samvat or Hindi New Year
This New Year is observed in major states in North India and it is also known as Chaitra Shukladi. It is celebrated on Chaitra Shukala Pratipada (March – April) – the first day after the No Moon (Amavasi) in Chaitra Month. The Hindi New Year is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date changes yearly.

Cheti Chand
The New Year day of Sindhis is known as Cheti Chand. The New Year day is observed on the first day of the month of Chait (March – April). It is based on lunar calendar and the date changes yearly.

Varsha Pirappu or Puthandu
This is the Tamil New Year and it falls on the first day of the Chitirai month (April – May). The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar and the New Year date falls during Mid April mostly on April 13 or 14.

Vishu
Vishu is the Zodiac New Year observed in Kerala by Malayalis. It falls on the first day of Malayalam month Medam (April - May). The calendar followed in Kerala is a solar calendar and the New Year date is constant mostly – April 14.

Naba Barsha or Poila Baisakh
This is the New Year in Eastern parts of India, especially in Bengal. The Bengali New Year is observed on the first day in Baisakh month (April – May). This calendar is also a solar calendar and therefore the New Year day falls on April 14 or April 15.

Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu
It is the New Year in Assam. This is based on Assamese solar calendar and is observed on the first day in Baisakh month (April – May). The celebration is for three days and is constantly observed in Mid-April.

Chingam 1
This is the New Year according to Malayalam Calendar. Chingam (August – September) is the first month in the Malayalam Calendar. But Malayalis popularly celebrate Vishu as the New Year.

Annakut or Hindu Vikram New Year
This is the New Year observed in Gujarat, the day after Diwali (October). The Gujarati New Year is also known as Vikram Calendar or Vikram Samvat.