Did you know that there are more than 10 New Years in various Hindu calendars followed in India?

When is the Hindu New Year? Or when is the New Year in Hindu Religion? There is no single answer to this question. The numerous cultures that are part of Hinduism follow independent calendars and the New Year Day in these calendars are based on seasons and the agrarian economy of the region. Some calendars are lunar calendars and the New Year dates changes yearly. Majority of the Hindu New Year date falls in the months of March and April. Here is a list of the New Year dates observed by Hindus which falls during various periods in a year.

January 1st – The day is celebrated by Hindus as part of the grand celebrations being held on the occasion around the world.

Pongal – The Government of Tamil Nadu had made Pongal day as the Tamil New Year in 2008. But majority of the calendars of the various Tamil communities continue to mark Tamil New Year on Chithira 1 (Mid-April).

Saka New Year – This New Year is based on the calendar followed by the Government of India. The New Year day in Saka calendar falls on March 21 or March 22.

Nyepi – Nyepi is the New Year in Bali Island in Indonesia. This calendar is also based on the Saka Era but with major regional variations. Nyepi is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date varies yearly.

Ugadi – Yugadi or Ugadhi is the New Year in Telugu and Kannada culture. The New Year day is observed on the first day of the month of Chaitra (March – April). This is a major event in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Ugadi is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date changes yearly.

Gudhi Padwa – Gudi Padva is the Marathi New Year and is observed on the first day of the Chaitra month (March – April). It is a major celebration in Maharashtra and is also known as Shalivahan Shaka New Year. Gudhi Padwa is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date changes yearly.

Nav Varsh Samvat or Hindi New Year – This New Year is observed in major states in North India and it is also known as Chaitra Shukladi. It is celebrated on Chaitra Shukala Pratipada (March – April) – the first day after the No Moon (Amavasi) in Chaitra Month. The Hindi New Year is based on lunar calendar and therefore the date changes yearly.

Cheti Chand – The New Year day of Sindhis is known as Cheti Chand. The New Year day is observed on the first day of the month of Chait (March – April). It is based on lunar calendar and the date changes yearly.

Varsha Pirappu or Puthandu – This is the Tamil New Year and it falls on the first day of the Chitirai month (April – May). The Tamil calendar is a solar calendar and the New Year date falls during Mid April mostly on April 13 or 14

Vishu – Vishu is the Zodiac New Year observed in Kerala by Malayalis. It falls on the first day of Malayalam month Medam (April - May). The calendar followed in Kerala is a solar calendar and the New Year date is constant mostly – April 14.

Naba Barsha or Poila Baisakh – This is the New Year in Eastern parts of India, especially in Bengal. The Bengali New Year is observed on the first day in Baisakh month (April – May). This calendar is also a solar calendar and therefore the New Year day falls on April 14 or April 15.

Rongali Bihu or Bohag Bihu – It is the New Year in Assam. This is based on Assamese solar calendar and is observed on the first day in Baisakh month (April – May). The celebration is for three days and is constantly observed in Mid-April.

Kutchi New Year - New Year in Kutch Region in Gujarat. Kutchi New Year is observed on the second day of the shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in Ashada month – Ashad Beej or Dwitiya.

Chingam 1 – This is the New Year according to Malayalam Calendar.Chingam (August – September) is the first month in the Malayalam Calendar. But Malayalis popularly celebrate Vishu as the New Year.

Annakut or Hindu Vikram New Year – This is the New Year observed in Gujarat, the day after Diwali (October). The Gujarati New Year is also known as Vikram Calendar or Vikram Samvat.

These are some of the most popular New Year observed by Hindus. The list is not full there are several other Hindu New Years observed by Hindu communities.