After the autumn season, nature has adorned itself anew. Leaves, flowers, and landscapes in the forest are delighting the human mind. This is because it’s the month of Chaitra. In this month, old leaves of trees shed, and new ones emerge. Therefore, this month is also called the New Year of nature.
In Chaitra, Hindus celebrate the New Year. The Bengali community also observes Poila Boishakh. Sikh community annually celebrates Baisakhi on April 13th. Similarly, the tribal community celebrates Sarhul, a festival dedicated to nature, in this month. The Marwari community’s popular festival, Gangaur, is also celebrated in the same month.
This month has its own uniqueness. Almost every community celebrates festivals in its own way, making this month a festival of festivals. The entire country revels in joy. Although people celebrate their festivals differently in Chaitra, the essence is the connection with nature.
This month includes Chaitra Navratri and Hanuman Jayanti. Navratri celebrations commence from Tuesday. Ram Navami festival is also celebrated during this month. Hanuman Jayanti is also observed. The first day of Chaitra Shukla Paksha is celebrated as Hindu New Year.
This year, Navratri will be observed from the 8th to the 17th of April. Chaiti Chhath Mahaparva will also begin on April 12th, i.e., on Chaturthi, with bathing and eating rituals. Kharna is observed on Panchami, followed by the first Argha on Shashthi, and Paaran on Saptami. Acharya Balmukund mentioned that Hanuman Jayanti falls on Chaitra Purnima, i.e., April 23rd.
Sarhul Brings the Message of Joy
This year, Sarhul festival commences from April 10th. Sarhul is a festival of nature. It is a major festival of the tribal community, dedicated to nature and flowers. This festival also signifies the New Year. During Sarhul, people predict rain by observing water in earthen pots.
The Sarhul festival lasts for three days. Traditionally, fasting and crab-catching are observed on Chaitra Dwitiya Shukla Paksha. Sarhul Puja and a procession are held on Tritiya Shukla Paksha. On Chaturthi, a flower procession takes place. On this day, tribals begin consuming new fruits and flowers.
Baisakhi: A Cultural Festival
The Sikh community’s major festival is Baisakhi. This festival is celebrated with joy for the harvest season. Sikhs collectively perform Bhangra and Gidda dances. Special Diwan will be organized at the Guru Nanak School on April 13th. The culmination of the recitation of Guru Granth Sahib will also take place.
In Amritsar’s Sri Darbar Sahib, Ragi Dalbir Singh Amritwani will perform kirtan. At 12:30 noon, Guru Langar will be served. Everyone will partake in the Prasad with harmony. Former Secretary-General of the Guru Singh Sabha, Dr. H.D. Singh, stated that Baisakhi is also a cultural festival.
Poila Boishakh of the Bengali Community
In the month of Chaitra, the Bengali community celebrates their New Year as Poila Boishakh. This year, Poila Boishakh falls on April 14th, as Chaitra Sankranti ends on April 13th. This day holds special significance for traders, who start new account books. People visit temples in new attire. Special dishes are prepared. Secretary of the Durgabadi, Gopal Bhattacharya, stated that Poila Boishakh is also a festival connected with nature.
Gangaur Celebrated by the Marwari Community
The Marwari community celebrates the popular festival of Gangaur in this month on April 11th. This festival starts the day after Holika Dahan and concludes on Tritiya of Chaitra Shukla. For 16 days, prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are offered. Unmarried girls and newly married women observe fasts for 16 days. Sindhoor is applied in every household on this day.