Religious fervour and traditional celebrations mark Hindu NY in Kashi

Varanasi: Hindu New Year, marking the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2083, was celebrated with religious fervour across Varanasi on the occasion of Chaitra Shukla Pratipada on Thursday, coinciding with the start of Chaitra Navratri.A series of programmes were organised at different locations in the city to mark the occasion. Volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh paid tributes to its founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at around 30 places. Swayamsevaks, dressed in full uniform, offered floral tributes and participated in traditional celebrations.At the Varsh Pratipada Utsav organised by Ganga Nagar at Ratnaker Park in Shivala area, Kashi Vibhag Sanghchalak Jayprakash Lal addressed the gathering. He highlighted the cultural and spiritual significance of the Bharatiya Nav Varsh, stating that the day symbolises not only a change in the calendar but also a transformation in nature. He said that, according to tradition, Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. The day is also associated with the coronation of Yudhishthir and the beginning of Vikram Samvat. He further noted that it was on this day in 1889 that Hedgewar was born in Nagpur.Another programme was held at the Krishi Sansthan ground of BHU, where Kashi Dakshin Bhag's Prachar Pramukh Ravi Kant addressed swayamsevaks. A similar event was organised at Rajarshi Nagar UP College.