Baisakhi to Bihu, Ahmedabad revels in diverse New Year traditions

Ahmedabad: Several communities that call Ahmedabad home are revelling in the New Year spirit. On Tuesday, Baisakhi, Puthandu, and Rongali Bihu were celebrated by Punjabi, Tamil, and Assamese communities. On Wednesday, Vishu, Maha Vishubha (Pana) Sankranti, and Poila Boishakh will be celebrated by Malayalis, Odias, and Bengalis, respectively.Gaganjyot Singh from Gurdwara Gobind Dham at Thaltej said that on Tuesday, over 1,000 visited the gurdwara to celebrate Baisakhi. "For the past three days, 1,000 devotees have come to the gurdwara daily," he said. "On Tuesday, a special Kirtan Darbar was organized and devotees attended the langar." Singh said, "People from all faiths became part of the celebrations." Elavazhagan Mudaliyar from Maninagar said that the area has a vibrant Tamil community that marked the Puthandu festival with special prayers at temples and feasts at home. "It marks the start of the new calendar and is celebrated by offering fruits and sweets to the deities," he said. Amarendra Mukherjee from Bengal Cultural Association in the city said that the Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year) celebration starts at home, with a puja. Visiting temples and wearing new clothes are other aspects of the celebrations. "This is the day when the families of all Bengali businesspersons start the day with a puja of their new books, — called hal-khata — and clearing all dues," he said. "It is akin to Gujarati businesspersons' Chopda Pujan during Diwali." Mukherjee said, "We have planned special events at the Kali Bari temple on Wednesday, including a feast and cultural events." B K Panda from OSCA said that Pana Sankranti signifies all ‘rasas' of life with the consumption of jaggery, coconut, mango, and bel fruit. "Traditionally, one can eat mangoes only after the festival in several parts of Odisha. It is also celebrated in a major way in various temples," he said. Vishu is a unique celebration synonymous with saadya and Vishu Kani. "The eldest woman in the family wakes up early and prepares the Vishu Kani, which is the first thing the family sees in the morning," said Krishna Nair, a resident of Vejalpur. He said, "The Kani is arranged with an idol of Lord Krishna, a bunch of yellow flowers (Indian laburnum), a lit lamp, rice and grains, fruits, vegetables, gold, currency notes, and a small mirror symbolizing the reflection of divine blessings."
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