New Delhi: The Hindu New Year, also referred to as Vikram Samvat, is an important festival observed by millions of Hindus around the world. The Hindu New Year arrives on March 22 for the year. In India, the event is celebrated with great zeal and traditional passion. It is a period of fresh beginnings, new endeavors, and renewed hope. The festival’s origins can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology and rituals.

The day is observed differently around the country, but the fundamental message stays the same: welcome the New Year with happiness and optimism.

Vikram Samvat: History

According to mythology, 2068 years ago, Vikramaditya, the famous ruler of Ujjain, emancipated his people from the authority of the Sakas and established Vikram Samvat.

Vikram Samvat is the historical calendar followed by all Hindus in India, and it is usually 57 years into the future of the Gregorian calendar. It’s going to be Vikram Samvat 2080 this year.

Vikram Samvat, or Hindu New Year, is observed on the initial day of the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month and is regarded as mathematically precise. The Hindu New Year occurs on the first day of the Hindu month of Baishakh in various states.

Yet, Indian scholars have various perspectives on the Hindu New Year.

Vikram Samvat: Significance

The Hindu New Year, also known as Vikram Samvat, is a major festival for many Hindus and is observed throughout India. The Hindu New Year is usually celebrated in late March or early April on the Gregorian calendar. In the old Hindu lunar calendar, it symbolizes the start of a new year and is a time for new beginnings, fresh begins, and relationship rejuvenation.

The event is marked by a variety of rites and customs, such as cleaning homes, preparing feasts, and praying to the deities. Around this time, many individuals share gifts and greetings with their loved ones. The Hindu New Year, in particular to being a time of historical and religious importance, also commemorates the start of the new harvesting season in many parts of India.