By Admin 
- New Year starts with different names in different states.
Solar New Year 2026: The Hindu calendar is based on 2 main systems, called solar and lunar. According to the solar calendar, the New Year is celebrated based on the position of the Sun, which usually marks the beginning of Aries Sankranti in many regions. On the contrary, it is celebrated on Pratipada (first day) of Shukla Paksha of lunar calendar Chaitra month.
This article analyzes the calendars of different states that celebrate the New Year according to Mesha Sankranti, which marks the Indian Solar New Year. On this day the Sun enters Aries from Pisces. In the year 2026, Mesha Sankranti will be celebrated on 14th April, and it is celebrated with different names in different states of India.
Calendar in India
Two calendars are especially popular in India – Shaka Samvat and Vikram Samvat. On the basis of these almanacs, the new year starts at different times in different states.
The most important festivals of the solar year include Baisakhi, Vishu, Puthandu, Pana Sankranti, Bohag Bihu and Bikhuti.
Solar year celebrations include festivals like Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Pratipada, Yugadi, Navasamvatsar and Cheti Chand.
Difference between Shaka Samvat and Vikram Samvat
Saka era
This calendar is very popular in South India and starts from Chaitra month (21 or 22 March). It combines lunar and solar elements, but is based exclusively on solar energy, with fixed days (30 days or 31 days in Chaitra).
It begins on March 22 (or March 21 in leap years), coinciding with the spring equinox.
Vikram era
Vikram Samvat: This calendar, especially used in North India, starts from the first day of Chaitra Navratri (between March and April). It has a mixture of lunar and solar elements, but its composition is primarily lunar based.
The months are determined by the phases of the moon, and an extra month is added every three years to keep pace with the solar year.
Walkeshwar Shiv Temple of Malabar Hill, Mumbai: Know the mythological story related to Ramayana period?
regional festival
Punjab and Haryana
In Punjab, New Year is celebrated as Baisakhi, which is an ancient agricultural festival and is celebrated by all communities together. It is also recognized as the Sikh New Year, marking the establishment of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. It also coincides with the entry of the Sun into Aries.
west bengal
The New Year in West Bengal, known as Poila Baisakh, begins on the first day of the Bengali calendar, which coincides with Mesha Sankranti. The Bengali year begins in 1433, whose roots go back to the 7th century, during the reign of King Shashanka.
Tamil Nadu
New Year in Tamil Nadu is celebrated as Puthandu, which falls on the first day of the month of Chithirai (mid-April). The Tamil calendar is based on solar and is currently running in Tamil Samvat 1948.
Kerala
The New Year in Kerala is called Vishu, which follows the traditional solar calendar Kollavarsham, which began in 825 AD. The year 2026 will be the 1202nd year of this calendar, although the official new year starts with Chingam (August–September).
Odisha
In Odisha, the New Year is celebrated as Pana Sankranti or Maha Vishwa Sankranti depending on the position of the Sun. At present Odisha Samvat 1433-34 is going on, in which the names of the months have been kept the same as in other almanacs.
Assam
New Year in Assam is also called Bohag Bihu, which is celebrated according to the Assamese solar calendar and starts from Aries Sankranti. The names of months like Bohag, Jeth and Aahar are taken from Sanskrit origin.
Uttarakhand
This festival is known as Bikhoti, whose traditional calendar is based on solar calculations.
Mithila (Bihar)
The New Year celebration in Mithila is called Jur Sheetal, in which elders keep water overnight and bless children by sprinkling it on them. Under this tradition, Hanumanth flag is also hoisted on this day.
These different festivals celebrated across India highlight the rich cultural diversity associated with the Solar New Year, with unique traditions and customs varying across states.
Pradosh Vrat 2026 April: When and when will Pradosh Vrat be observed in April 2026, note the date
Disclaimer: The information provided here is based only on assumptions and information. It is important to mention here that ABPLive.com Does not constitute any endorsement or verification of information. Before implementing any information or belief, consult the concerned expert.