The Vedic New Year: A Celebration of Renewal, Heritage, and Global Harmony

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Just as the sun gives light, compassion gives birth to feeling, and flowers always bloom, may this coming new year be auspicious for you, for every day and every moment.

Dearest Readers,

March and April hold a special place in Indian culture. Just as we shed old clothes and embrace new ones, nature, too, undergoes a transformation during these two months. The cycle of time changes, the direction of the planets changes, the constellations change, and thus is born a very special festival: the Indian New Year.

According to the Hindu calendar, the auspicious beginning of the Indian New Year falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. Chaitra denotes the month, Shukla denotes the waxing phase of the moon, and Pratipada means the first day. Therefore, it literally means the first day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Chaitra.

This New Year is celebrated by different names in different states of India:

• Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra
• Baisakhi in Punjab
• Navreh in Kashmir
• Vishu in Kerala
• Losar in Sikkim

The holy Navratri festival also begins on this day. All the festivals celebrated in our Indian tradition follow the Vikrami Samvat calendar. Whether it is a wedding ceremony, a ritual, a housewarming ceremony, a birthday celebration, a post-death ritual, or the organization of the Kumbh Mela, Ganga Snan, etc., all these are determined according to the Indian almanac.

Unfortunately, many people ignore the mythological and historical significance of the Indian New Year and give preference to the English calendar and the English New Year only. Their argument is that the English New Year is celebrated all over the world. But when we can celebrate festivals in our country based on our own calendar, when we can do business in our own currency in our country, then why can't we celebrate our own New Year in our country?

Let us now explore the historical, scientific, and natural significance of the Indian New Year.

Historical Significance of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada:

1. The Creation of the Universe: It is believed that on this day, 1,96,08,53,119 years ago, with the sunrise, God began the creation of the universe.
2. Emperor Vikramaditya's Coronation: It is also said that on this day, Emperor Vikramaditya established his kingdom. The first day of the Vikrami Samvat calendar is named after him.
3. Lord Rama's Coronation: This is also the day of Lord Rama's coronation.
4. Arya Samaj Foundation Day: 143 years ago, Swami Dayanand Saraswati chose this day as the foundation day of the Arya Samaj.
5. Shalivahana's Victory: Like Vikramaditya, Shalivahana chose this day to defeat the Huns and establish a great kingdom in South India.
6. Yudhishthira's Coronation: Yudhishthira's coronation also took place on this day.
7. Birth of Saints: Saint Jhulelal and Shri Guru Angaddev Ji were also born on this day.

Natural Significance of the Vedic New Year:

1. The Beginning of Spring: The spring season begins on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, which is filled with joy, excitement, happiness, and the fragrance of flowers all around.
2. Harvesting Time: This is also the time when crops begin to ripen, and farmers reap the rewards of their hard work.
3. A New Beginning in Nature: Unlike the English New Year, the Vedic New Year begins in the spring season, when nature is at its most beautiful and vibrant.

Scientific Significance of the Vedic New Year:

1. The Vedic New Year is 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
2. The Prevalence of Seven Days and Twelve Months: The Hindu New Year is the basis for the seven days and twelve months of the year. The practice of having a year of twelve months and a week of seven days began with the Vikrama Samvat.
3. Chaitra Month is the First Month: Since ancient times, it has been a tradition to start planning new work from this month by wrapping up old work in the country and the world. For example, the government's new financial year, the new session of schools and other educational institutions, etc.
4. Nature's New Year: In March, nature and the earth complete one cycle. In January, nature's cycle is not complete. The real New Year begins when the second cycle begins after the earth rotates on its axis and completes one orbit around the sun. Chaitra month falls in the middle of March and April on the Gregorian calendar.
5. The New Year Begins with Sunrise: The New Year is not welcomed in the darkness of night. The New Year is celebrated by welcoming the first ray of the sun. According to the Gregorian calendar, the New Year is considered to start at 12 midnight, which is not scientific. A day is complete only by combining day and night. The day begins with sunrise and continues until the next sunrise. Sunset is considered the transition period between day and night.

How to Celebrate the Vedic New Year:

1. Exchange New Year's greetings with everyone.
2. Send New Year's greetings to your friends and relatives.
3. On this auspicious occasion, hoist the saffron flag at your homes.
4. Organize havan yajna (fire rituals) at homes and religious places.
5. Participate in or organize religious and cultural programs.
6. Brahmagyani sadhaks (enlightened seekers) should perform collective sadhana (spiritual practice) in their homes.

Let us all come together to celebrate the Indian New Year with great pomp and show, and promote our Sanatan culture and become partakers of virtue.

Heartiest greetings of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada Vikrami Samvat 2081 to you and your entire family.

With Warmth and Blessings,

SunDeep Mehra