Diverse hearts, different names but a United New Year

Maha Vishuva Sankranti is the New Year for Orissa. It is observed during the transition of the sun into Mesharashi. It also marks the beginning of the New Year based on the Hindu solar calendar.
• Tamil Nadu - Pongal, Uzhavar Thirunal
• Gujarat - Uttarayan
• Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab - Maghi
• Assam - Bhogali Bihu
• Kashmir Valley - Shishur Saenkraat
• Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar - Khichdi
• Karnataka - Makara Sankramana
On this day, people drink Pana – a sweet drink made of milk, water, different types of fruits, bella, curd and sugar or jaggery, to the Tulsi Plant, Shalagram. During the festival, there are water pots hung and placed on roadsides to help the thirsty souls.

“This festival is mostly confused with Sankranti (the kite festival) but it shouldn’t be; it’s the Oriyan New Year, we celebrate it in an ostentatious manner,” said Prashant Kumar Sahu.

Bihu in Assam
Bihu or Bohag Bihu is the most important festival in Assam. It transcends all religious and class barriers bringing people together in a free and uninhabited manner. The Assamese observe not one but, three Bihus.

The word Bihu is derived from the Dimasakachari tribe’s language. Assam, being a land of composite culture, reflects a chain of festivals of different tribes throughout the year. The breathtaking hills and valleys of Assam come alive with the sound of Bihu thrice with Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu in April, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in January and Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu in October-November.

The Bihu festival signifies a celebration of farming, especially paddy. For example, Rongali Bihu marks the beginning of sowing of seeds, the Kati Bihu marks the completion of sowing and transplantation of the saplings and finally Magh Bihu marks the advent of the harvest period.