Mumbai: Chinese Year of the Rat begins midnight on Friday

MUMBAI: Chinese new year festivities began midnight Friday and will peak with family reunions Saturday. The ten-day celebration spans January 25 through February 4, and is special since 2020 marks the Year of the Rat, the first sign of the zodiac.

Beautician Teresa Yang from Eksar Road, Borivli, was among scores of natives who arrived to enjoy the midnight dragon dance at the 100-year-old Mazgaon Chinese temple. She said, "The Year of the Rat marks the start of the Chinese zodiac. There are many common links between Indian and Chinese culture. Both of us see the rat as an intelligent, industrious and persistent animal." Like us, the Chinese avoid sweeping or cleaning the house on new year's day lest good fortune be swept away as well.

Most Chinese establishments in Mumbai which hire local helpers will continue to ply on Saturday. However, those that are led by only Chinese families will likely take a holiday.

Traditionally, natives leave grains in corners to share their harvest with the rats. They then go to sleep early in order to not disturb the rodents. This way, the rats will not disturb them during the year either.