Hindu New Year

Hindu New Year is celebrated on the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. 2012 Hindu New Year could be the beginning of the Golden age. There are lots of stories from the Hindu mythology regarding the New Year. It is believed that Lord Krishna told Ganga Devi that the Golden age will start from the Kali Yuga. As per the Hindu scriptures the Kali Yuga is one of the stages of development which the world goes through. The belief, that 2012 Hindu New Year will be the Golden Age arises as per a calculation. The calculation is based on the lunar calendar. History says that the ancient Hindus used both solar and lunar calendars. So, as per the lunar calendar a year has 354.36 days. Until December 2012 it will be around 5270 lunar years since the Kali Yuga started.

The Mayans also predicted this year to be the rebirth of the planet. Moreover, as per the calculation by the solar calendar we have crossed 5113 solar years from the Kali Yuga. As per the solar year the number of days in a year is 365.24. We have crossed 5000 years and more in the Kali Yuga as per the solar and lunar calendar. The ancient Hindu scripture shows the verdict of Lord Krishna. So, we are expected to face the Golden Age in 2012. We can assume that 2012 Hindu New Year will bring happiness, joy, love and hope in all hearts.

The importance of 2012 in Hinduism

The Hindu scriptures say that the Golden Age is likely to start in 2012. Thus 2012 Hindu New Year will bring good luck for all. The concept of Golden Age take us back to the Gupta age where there was remarkable contribution in the fields of Mathematics, Astronomy, Science, Religion, Philosophy and many more. As per the Hindu facts and scriptures we will again see the Golden Age in 2012. Thus we can assume that the coming year 2012 will be marked with joy and glory in each and every field. The glory of the Golden Age is expected to stay with us for long. There will a huge transition of energy in 2012 for the Golden Age to start. We will start the year with joy and hope for new changes to start.

The Mayan and Hindu Believe Coincide

The Mayan mythology is similar to that of the Hindu mythology regarding considering 2012 as the era of Golden Age. It is so because both the calendar started around 5000 years back. Surprisingly, both the Hindu and the Mayan calendar predict 2012 as the Golden Age. It is surprising and worth a mention because these two cultures (Hindu and Mayan) had no connection within each other. Still both the calendar considers 2012 as the Golden Age. So, now we are heading towards a brand new chapter.

History of the Hindu New Year

The other popular name of the Hindu New Year is Vikram Samvat. The history of the Hindu New Year goes back to the 57 B.C. It tells us the story of the legendary Hindu King Vikramaditya. In short the story goes like this: A nun called Saraswati who was a sister of a Jain monk called Kalakacharya was kidnapped by King Gardabhilla. The Jain monk took help from the Saka ruler and defeated Gardabhilla. As he was defeated, he moved to the forest and was killed by a tiger. His son Vikramaditya was brought up in the forest. Once he grew up, he invaded Ujjain and defeated the Sakas. To mark his victory, Vikramaditya called for a new era. Since then the Hindu New Year has been known as the Vikram Samvat.

Time of the Hindu New Year

Different communities celebrate Hindu New year on different dates. Though, the time is more or less the same. Few details of the date of the Hindu New Year are mentioned below:

    Punjabi New Year(Baisakhi) - Punjanb, the New Year falls on the 13th of April
    Assamese New Year - Assam, they celebrate the New Year on 14th or 15th April
    Gujrati New Year - Gujrat, the New Year falls on Karthik Shukla Pratipada
    Karnatak, the New Year time is on Chaitra Sudhha Prathipade
    Tamil New Year - Tamil Nadu, New Year falls on 13th or 14th April


Hindu New Year Celebration

Hindu New Year time is the time of celebration. It is the time to meet and greet people. It is believed that this time of the year brings lot of hope and prosperity to the community. People celebrate the beginning of the year in different special ways. Few ways of celebration are:

    Oil lamps are lit in front of the house
    Rangolis are made with pink, red, purple and yellow flowers
    New clothes are worn
    Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped
    Gifts and sweets are exchanged


Ploughing is an essential part of New Year Celebration

Ploughing is an essential part of the Hindu New Year celebration. With this act the soil is churned up and it helps in the growth of many crops. The crops serve the purpose of humans and animals too. So, it is very auspicious to plough during the Hindu New Year. Adding to the celebration, it is required to make some donation during this time of the year. All actions during the New Year should be such that it brings immense joy to others. The reason is if one starts the year with joy then happiness will follow the year through.

The vast religion, Hinduism celebrates the beginning of the New Year on different dates as per the calendar. Further, the scriptures have informed that 2012 Hindu New Year will be the Golden Age. So, we are all prepared to welcome 2012 is a special way. New Year's time is a time to meet relatives, friends, near and dear ones. In Hinduism different culture celebrates the beginning of the year in different ways. But this year will be the most special New Year as it will show the way to the Golden Age.