Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 13 FESTIVALS IN MARCH March 20, 2026 Happy New Years! H oli, the festival of colors and of love, has confirmed end of winter. Now is the time to celebrate the NewYears! Different states of India celebrate different new years, in different languages, with different cultural traditions and different festival foods. One thread is com- mon through all the celebrations: the feeling of welcoming the new year with blessings of the gods and nature, wearing new clothes and sharing food with friends and family. Four new years fall this year on Thursday, March 19: Gudi Padwa, the Hindu NewYear or Chaitra Pratipada, Ugadi and Cheti Chand. Gudi Padwa , the Ma- harashtrian NewYear, marks victory of good, prosperity, and new harvest. The traditional Gudi, a bamboo stick, with upturned kalash pot, dressed in bright colored saree and garlands of flowers, is raised early morning at house en- trances, windows or bal- conies, to ward off evil and invite prosperity. Gudi symbolizes Rama’s return to Ayod- hya after completing his exile and his victory over Ravana. In Hindu scrip- tures, it is the day of King Shalivahanas victory over the Shakas, and the start of Shalivahana Shaka calendar. Gudi Padwa is also deeply connected to na- ture, to the harvest of Rabi crops, when people refresh their outlook on life, leave old grudges and forgive and move ahead. Homes are cleaned and the main entrance is decorated with torans of fresh mango leaves and marigold flowers and rangoli. Families offer prayers at home to god Brahma who is believed to have created the universe on this day. A special feature of the day is eating neem leaves with jaggery early in the morning, signi- fying acceptance of both hard times and good times in life. Gudi Padwa meals are special, with Puran Poli, Katachi Amti, Shrikhand-Poori and more items. Gudi Padwa is also celebrated with a shobha yatra, or a procession. Women walk in tradi- tional Nauvari (nine-yard) sarees and men in Kurta-Pajamas with turbans, with performances of Lezim, Dhol Tasha and cultural floats. In the United States, UK, and Australia, Marathi cultural associations organize community gatherings. The Hindu Nav Varsh , or Chaitra Shukla Prati- pada, marks the start of the Vikram Samvat 2083 this year. Regarded as the start of the Hindu New Year in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and vari- ous regions of India, it signifies renewal, fresh beginnings and return to spiritual and seasonal balance. Scriptures associate this day with Lord Brahma starting the cosmic cycle. The day is considered one of the sade- teen muhurts or three and a half auspi- cious moments, of the year, making it a good day to start new ventures, buy property, or make significant invest- ments, rituals and resolutions. In North Indian states, the Hindu Nav Varsh or Nav Samvat, is celebrated with prayers, readings of the pan- chang and family rituals. Houses are cleaned and decorated with torans and rangolis. The Hindu NewYear also marks the start of Chaitra Navratri, nine days of celebration for the Goddess Durga. Many people grow jawara or sprouts in small earthen pots as an offering to Durga. Many begin their 10-day long fasts on the day, performing pujas to Durga, and listening to bhajans, concentrating on mental cleansing. People visit temples to get blessings and meet friends and fami- lies and share special meals. In many states, celebrations include community fairs and cultural programs. Ugadi or the Telugu and Kannada NewYear, is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and Telangana on the first day of the Chaitra month like the other new years, with tradition- al customs. People wake up before sunrise for a traditional oil bath using sesame oil and wear new clothes. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, toranas of fresh green mango leaves are hung on entrances and and muggulu or rangoli is drawn to invite prosperity. Families visit temples to offer prayers and seek blessings for the new year. People also listen to the Panchanga Sravanam, where priests or elders recite the forecast for the new year. Fam- ily reunions, exchanging gifts, giving to charity, starting new business ventures, are all part of Ugadi celebrations. The traditional six-flavored dish, Ugadi Pachadi, is part of the festive meal. The meals also include Obbattu or Holige. Cheti Chand , the Sindhi NewYear, is celebrated with pallavs or prayers offered to Jhulelal, the protector, who is considered to be an incarnation of Varun Dev, the god of water. Some people ob- serve Chaliho, during 40 day before Cheti Chand, in strict penance, to thank Jhulelal. Celebrations begin with a procession with a sacred tray called Baharana Sahib, containing a jyot or a wheat flour lamp, mishri or crystallized sugar, fruits, cardamom, and a coconut, which is taken to a river or lake and immersed. The day is celebrated with community gather- ings, traditional Chej dances, folk music and traditional dishes including Tairi or sweetened rice, and Chole. By Archana Adalja A Ugadi pooja tray with Pachadi served in a cup along with flowers and diya. A new year procession on Gudi Padwa festival, Dombivli Maharashtra. A Gudi hoisted on a pole in an apartment balcony. Gussadi Dance at Ugadi Celebrations in Pragathi Bhavan. PHOTO:ABHIJITTEMBHEKAR. CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 2.0 GENERIC LICENSE. PHOTO:ABHIJITTEMBHEKAR.CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 2.0 GENERIC LICENSE. PHOTO:KALYAN KANURI.CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-SHARE ALIKE 2.0 GENERIC LICENSE. PHOTO:COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, GOVERNMENT OFTELANGANA.CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION-SHARE ALIKE 4.0 INTERNATIONAL LICENSE.