After Punjabis celebrated Baisakhi April 13, Bengalis, Assamese, Malayalis and Tamils are all set to celebrate their New Year April 14. According to the respective calendars, it is celebrated as the first day of the year.
The day marks the harvest festival, which is called by different names in different states. The Bengali New Year is known as Pohela Boishakh, the Tamil New Year is Puthandu, the Malayalam New Year as Vishu and the Assamese New Year is Bohag Bihu.
Bengalis greet people saying "Shubho Noboborsho" on Pohela Boishakh. In Kolkata, it is considered an auspicious time for marriages. Offering prayers for one's well being, touching elders' feet and wearing new clothes are the part of the occasion. It is also considered auspicious to start new businesses.
Bohag Bihu is celebrated in Assam and north-eastern India, and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year. Also known as Rongali Bihu, the occasion witnesses the popular Bihu dance and Bihugeets. Women prepare special dishes, like pitha, laru (traditional food made of rice and coconut) and Jolpan.
The Tamils greet people on Puthandu by saying "Puthandu Vazhthukal." On the eve of Puthandu, a tray is prepared with three kinds of fruits — mango, banana and jackfruit, betel leaves and areca nuts, gold/silver jewellery, coins/money, flowers and a mirror. This tray full has to be viewed as soon as one wakes up in the morning. A big feast and decorations are the order of the day in all Tamil homes.
Vishu is an auspicious festival in Kerela, and on this day, people buy new clothes and give money to youngsters, which is known as "Vishu Kaineettam." People greet each other by saying "Vishu Ashamsakal," and visit prominent temples like the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple or the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.
Take a look here at the wishes to send to your relatives and friends.
Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) wishes
Wishing a blessed and prosperous Bengali New Year to you and your family. Subho Poila Boisakh!
Let this year be one that brings you peace, joy and fulfillment. Happy Poila Boisakh!
May this Poila Boisakh fill your life with abundance of hope and happiness!
Choitrer Raater Sheshe Surjo Ashe Notun Beshe, Shei Surjer Rongin Aalo Muchhe Dik Jiboner Sokol Kalo Shubho Nobo Borsho!
Puthandu (Tamil New Year) wishes
On this Tamil New Year, Wish you be showered with The Divine blessings... Of happiness and Prosperity Puthandu Vazthukal !!!
A new beginning New hopes and new horizons to reach May the Sun radiate all the goodness of life In the coming year and always! Puthandu Vazthukal!
May this Tamil New Year Brings you lot of good things in your life. May the God blesses always In your life for the entire year ahead. "Eniya Puthandu Vazthukal"
Kadarkkarai mannalil Namadhu Natppai Yezhudhi Vaiththean Alai vandhu adiththu sendradhu Vilai Madhipillaa Muthukkal Yenakkey Sondham yendru. Happy Tamil New Year.
Read more: Happy Vishu 2016: Best wishes, picture greetings to be shared on new year
Bohag Bihu (Assamese New Year) wishes
B -Bond of LOVE, I -Icon of Assam, H -Humanity, U -Unity, That is our BIHU, our soul....wish U all a Happy Rongali Bihu
Let this Bihu usher in a Good & Sweet Year, both materially & spiritually. 2016 Rongali Bihu Eye Subhkamnache
bihuti ahise,dhul pepa bajise, birikhe holaise paat, nahoror hubakhot ure mon, ulahot bihu bihu lagise gaat bihur hiyabhora subhessa jonalu happy bohag bihu
Kopou Fulil, Togor Fulil Bakhontor Hubah Loi, Kuli-Ketekiye Geet Jurile Bohagor Botora Loi, Bihur Hiya Bhora Hubhessare "HAPPY RONGALI BIHU"
Picture Greetings
