Communities set to ring in New Year

AHMEDABAD: Over the next two days, Ahmedabad will indeed come alive with one or the other form of festivity in different parts, as several migrant communities from different parts of India – who call the city their home – will celebrate regional New Year on. Tamils in the city would gear up for Puthandu while Assamese community would prepare for Bihu celebrations and Punjabis would celebrate Baisakhi on Sunday. Similarly, Malyalis would usher in Vishu, while the Bengali community would greet their loved ones on Poila Baishakh on Monday.

Baisakhi

Traditionally, Baisakhi is a harvest festival and back home in Punjab, the community celebrates it with much fanfare. A typical day begins by offering prayers at the gurudwara or temples and the traditional preparation – halwa is prepared in most households. “Around 4am, the prayer ritual begins at the gurudwara, which is followed by pooja and kirtan. Then the traditional langar feast begins at the gurudwara which comprises kheer, dal, and sabzi, among other delicacies,” said Surjit Singh Bagga, chairman, Gurudwara Gobind Dham.

Puthandu

A night before Puthandu, which falls on Sunday this year, a plate comprising fruits — usually mango, banana and jackfruit — gold/silver coins, money, flowers, betel leaves and a mirror is prepared and kept. The day begins as early as 4am, when the first thing family members do is to offer prayers and look at the mirror and then begin with their day’s activities. Payasam (rice pudding) and pachadi (a dip) are the delicacies that are prepared on this day. “A community gathering will be organized in the city on Sunday evening, wherein members will come with families and enjoy feast and cultural programme,” said Balaji Iyer, president, Karnavati Tamil Sangama.

Bihu

While Rongali Bihu falls on Monday, the preparations for the festival begin a day before when sweets and other traditional delicacies such as pitha, jalpan and a variety of vegetables, are prepared and community feasts are held. Families adorn in new clothes, meet and greet loved ones. “We usually begin our day by bathing with a paste made of dal and turmeric, which is considered auspicious. I’ve been away from home for almost 15 years now. Every year, what I miss the most is the traditional music and songs, which I used to cherish as a child,” said Kabyashree Borgohain, a city-based entrepreneur.

Vishu

Observed on the first day of the month of ‘Medam’ in the Hindu calendar, Vishu marks the New Year for the Malyali community. Instead of being a community affair, Vishu celebrations are more of a family affair, albeit with elaborate preparations. “A vishu kani i.e. a spread comprising of the god’s idol, gold coins, jewellery, money, seasonal fruits and flowers and a mirror is usually prepared the night before. “After offering prayers – the first thing in morning, we put on new clothes and meet and greet loved ones, while savouring traditional preparations,” said K M Ramachandran, president, Ahmedabad Kerala Samajam.

Poila Baishakh

Bengali community in Ahmedabad has organized a community gathering to mark Poila Baishakh – the Bengali new year. “Having stayed in Gujarat for years, we don’t perform the rituals at home and instead offer our prayers at the Kali temple. However, the community gathering in the evening is something we always look forward to because it is not just an opportunity to enjoy the traditional Bengali delicacies and music and dance performances but also a chance to meet friends,” said Ashoka Ghosh.