South and Southeast Asian solar New Year
The traditionalNew Yearin many South and Southeast Asian cultures is based on the sun's entry into theconstellation Aries.In modern times, it is usually reckoned around 14 April.
Origins[edit]
As most countries and cultures of South and Southeast Asia lie within theIndian cultural sphere,the development of their traditional calendars have been strongly influenced by some form of theHindu calendar.As in many other calendars, the New Year was based on the northern hemispherevernal equinox(the beginning of spring). However, the Hindu calendar year was based on thesidereal year(i.e. the movement of the sun relative to the stars), while the WesternGregorian calendaris based on thetropical year(the cycle of seasons).
In ancient times, the sun's entry into Aries coincided with the equinox. However, due to the earth'saxial precession,the sidereal year is slightly longer than the tropical year, causing the dates to gradually drift apart. Today, the sun's entry into Aries occurs around 18 April, according to astronomical definitions.[1]Some traditional calendars are still marked by the sun's actual movements while others have since been fixed to the Gregorian calendar.
The sun's entry into Aries is known asmeṣa saṅkrāntiin Sanskrit, and is observed asMesha SankrantiandSongkranin South and South-east Asian cultures.[2]
Celebrations[edit]
The specific New Year observances include:
- In the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia):
- Bohag Bihu:Assam,India
- Bisket JatraorBaisakh Ek Gatey:Nepal
- Pahela Baishakh:West Bengal,east and northeastern India, andBangladesh
- Pana Sankranti:Odisha,India
- Sangken:Khamti,Singpho,Khamyang,Tangsain Arunachal Pradesh andTai Phake,Tai Aiton,andTurungin Assam
- Bwisagu:Bodoland region of Assam, India
- Buisu:Tripura,India
- Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra & Goa, India
- Bizhu:Chakmasin Mizoram, Tripura, and Bangladesh
- Ugadi:Andhra Pradesh,Telangana
- Puthandu:Tamil NaduandPuducherry,India, and northern and eastern regions ofSri Lanka
- Vishu:Kerala,India
- Bisu:Tulu Naduregion ofKarnatakaandKerala,India
- Jur Sital:Mithila region ofBihar,India, and Nepal
- Vaisakhi:Punjab,north and central India; Nepalese New Year[3][4]
- Aluth Avurudda:Sri Lanka
- In Southeast Asia:
Gallery[edit]
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Biska Jatrasignifies the start of Nepali new year -
Myanmarperforming traditional dance for the opening ceremony of the Thingyan Water Festival -
Elders cleanse statues of the Buddha with perfumed water inCambodia -
Flour throwing inLaos -
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Sprinking water onto Buddha relics during the Songkran Festival inThailand
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^McClure, Bruce (28 December 2016)."Sun in zodiac constellations, 2017".EarthSky.EarthSky Communications Inc.Retrieved9 October2017.
- ^Robert Sewell; Śaṅkara Bālakr̥shṇa Dīkshita; Robert Schram (1996).Indian Calendar.Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. pp. 29–35.ISBN978-81-208-1207-9.
- ^International Commerce.Bureau of International Commerce. 1970.
- ^Fodor's; Staff, Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc (12 December 1983).India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, 1984.Fodor's Travel Publications.ISBN978-0-679-01013-5.
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