India celebrates Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Navreh, Cheti Chand, Sangken today

While January 1 is observed as the beginning of New Year according to the Western Gregorian calendar, people in India celebrate New Year on several dates across different states as per their traditional lunisolar Hindu calendar. This year, Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Navreh, Cheti Chand and Sangken are being celebrated on April 13 as we are entering the month of Chaitra. 

1. Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa is known as the Marathi New Year. It is celebrated by Marathi and Konkani Hindus. The occasion marks the beginning of Marathi Shaka Samvata 1943. On this day, people buy or make Gudi and perform puja at their homes.

2. Ugadi

Ugadi is celebrated in Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Telugu New Year is also known as Chaitra Sukhladi, Yugadi and Samvatsaradi. The festival marks the beginning of Telugu Shaka Samvata 1943. People decorate their homes with rangolis and torana on the occasion. They make the traditional dish ‘pachadi’ to mark the celebration.

3. Navreh

Navreh is the Kashmiri New Year that is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits. The word ‘Navreh’ is derived from the Hindi words’ Nava Varsha’, which literally mean New Year. People worship Goddess Sharika during the festival.

4. Cheti Chand

Cheti Chand is observed as the first day of New Year by Sindhi people. The day is also celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, who was the patron saint of Sindhi Hindus. Hence, Cheti Chand is also known as Jhulelal Jayanti.

5. Sangken

Celebrated by the people of northeast India, especially in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam, Sangken is a festival that begins on April 13, 2021, and will end on April 16, 2021. It is a New Year festival that is observed by the Khampi tribe as well as communities, such as Khampti, Singpho, Tangsa, Tai Khamyang, Tai Phake, Tai Aiton.