Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Navratri 2018: Nation welcomes New Year with gusto

To mark the beginning of Hindu New Year, the nation is celebrating the day in different ways.

Most of North India is celebrating the first day of Chaitra Navaratri while Manipur is rejoicing over Sajibu Cheiraoba. This is also the eve of Sindhi festival of Cheti Chand.

For Gudi Padwa, Maharashtrians have taken to streets to parade in traditional attires with massive drums and riveting music as company. Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are also celebrating Ugadi.

PM Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind wished the nation on these various festivals. Let's take a look at how various cities and places in India are enjoying this holy day.

Visuals of #Ugadi celebrations from Vijaywada. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu also present pic.twitter.com/oFWoh1PXkP

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

#AndhraPradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu at an event in Vijayawada to celebrate #Ugadi pic.twitter.com/f08lVSCWH2

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

Ugadi, also known as Kannada and Telugu New Year, is celebrated primarily by the Hindus of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Maharashtra on the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Chaitra.

The day is observed by drawing colourful patterns on the floor (Rangoli), hanging mango leaf decorations on doors, buying and giving gifts, and preparing and sharing a special dish called 'pachadi', which combines all flavours - sweet, sour, salty, bitter.

It is believed that in the Telugu and Kannada Hindu traditions, the dish is a symbolic reminder that one must expect all flavours of experiences in the coming new year.

#WATCH: Girls beat drums in #Maharashtra's Nagpur during #GudiPadwa celebrations. pic.twitter.com/6Sipp6NMIY

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

#WATCH: Girls beat drums in #Maharashtra's Nagpur during #GudiPadwa celebrations. pic.twitter.com/6Sipp6NMIY

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

#WATCH: #GudiPadwa celebrations in #Maharashtra's Nagpur. pic.twitter.com/cJTLeBAX1Q

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

#GudiPadwa being celebrated in #Maharashtra today. Visuals from Nagpur. pic.twitter.com/eWh1QNFmZQ

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

#Mumbai rings in #GudiPadwa2018 with gusto pic.twitter.com/a7N8nlWDht

— DNA (@dna) March 18, 2018

Gudi Padwa is a spring-time festival that marks the traditional new year for Hindus in Maharashtra and is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar.

Similar to Ugadi, the festival is observed with colourful floor decorations, a special Gudhi flag garlanded with flowers, mango and neem leaves, and topped with upturned silver or copper vessel, street processions, dancing and festive foods.

Assam: Devotees throng Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati to offer prayers on the first day of #Navratri pic.twitter.com/sm45iZaL1A

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

Sajibu Cheiraoba is the lunar new year festival of the people who follow the Sanamahism religion of Manipur. While festive food, offerings and prayers are a part of the festivities for the day, it is believed that the feast for the occasion is usually prepared by the men in the family, while women assist them in chopping and washing the ingredients.

Devotees throng Kalkaji Temple in #Delhi to offer prayers on the first day of #Navaratri pic.twitter.com/h3cHFwUIlX

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

#Visuals of 'Aarti' being performed at Mumba Devi temple in #Mumbai on the first day of #Navaratri pic.twitter.com/XZl1INb0kw

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2018

'Aarti' being performed at Jhandewalan temple in #Delhi to mark the beginning of #Navaratri pic.twitter.com/ifxdcEwHKt

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018

This is also the beginning of the Chaitra Navratri and the transition of the spring season to summer. As in case of Sharad Navratri which is celebrated in September-October, celebrations for Chaitra Navratri also involve worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms.

Over the next nine days, devotees offer their prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts. While the tenth day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashami, the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri is celebrated as Ram Navami or Hindu Lord Rama's birthday.

(With ANI Inputs)