Traditionally, tamil new year is the beginning of chittirai. But Karunanidhi and his idiotic cohorts think it is at the start of pongal. And they have passed a law to this effect. Now they ask priests not to perform the rites for new year. Isnt this not interference by the state into the individuals freedom?

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080413/jsp/nation/story_9132123.jsp

Bengalis and Punjabis celebrate their New Year at Baisakhi/Vaishakhi (that is the first day of Vaisakh, the month following Chaitra) as do Tamils (Puthandu) and Kerala Hindus (Vishu).

Also, as you probably know, these are all dates derived from the solar calendar unlike Gudi Padwa/Ugadi that is derived from the lunar calendar (to the best of my knowledge).

Some day, I would like to delve deeper into this and the whole subject of lunar/solar calendars and panchanga.

But as many of you know, the Indian official calendar does begin from the first day of Chaitra – although the date is *fixed* (as March 22nd; or March 21 in leap years) and thus not dependent on the panchanga…

I would be grateful if any of you have additional information and/or links on this subject. Please add as comments. Thanks.

But, the comment “Today is the first day of Chaitra and the beginning of the Hindu New Year” is wrong!!!

Bengali hindus celebrate “Poila Baisakh” as the first day of their new year and calendar. This is usually 14/15th of April. So, do the Punjabis.

Keralite hindus have a completely different calendar as do the Tamils.

Even our calendars are a study in diversity!

Cheers