Ringing in New Year with gusto

BHOPAL: Various communities in the state capital celebrated their respective New years in their traditional styles here on Tuesday. Be it Poila Baisakh for Bengalis or Vishu for Malayalees, distinct customs and traditions were followed far away from their native places with fervour.
However, polls have played spoil sport for Assamese community as most of them are on election duty and hence were unable to celebrate the harvest festival of Rongali Bihu.Tamil community also ushered in their New Year Puthandu or Varsha Pirappu a day earlier.
Retired government official Rajeev Pillai told Times Of India that their family celebrates Vishu according to customs. "We woke up in the wee hours to see 'Vishukani,' the ceremonial sighting of auspicious articles such as rice, fruits, gold coins and flowers tastefully arranged in brass vessels symbolizing hope and promise. This is followed by a special puja at the Ayyappa Temple in BHEL. Also elders in our house gift coins to children as part of the custom known as Vishukaineettam," he said.
Special pujas were held at Ayyappa Temple, BHEL and Shivaji Nagar and Guruvayoor Temple at Khajuri Kalan. 'Nirmalyam and Vishukani' started at 5.30 am followed by special abhisekhams at Ayyappa temples and Guruvayoor temple at 8.30 am. Thereafter, a special 'Vishukaineetam' was arranged by temple authorities whereby coins will be offered to devotees by priests at temples.
At Guruvayoor temple, the morning puja culminated with a breakfast while at Ayyappa temple BHEL special bhajan was held in the evening. Meanwhile, Bhagwad Parayanam (recital of Gita) was held at temple Shivaji Nagar after the morning puja. Bengali Association, TT Nagar, Bhopal celebrated children's drama 'Ramakrishna' was staged directed by Prashanto Chatterjee besides dance was presented by little tots under direction of Mahasweta Bose was held at Kali Bari TT Nagar. Arera Bangiyo Parishad will celebrate Nabobarsho on the evening of April 17.
IIFM professor KN Krishna Kumar and his wife Sudha Krishna Kumar, from Tamil community, celebrated Varsha Pirappu on Monday with Vishukani. "Since my grandfather was brought up in Kerala we follow a lot of those traditions till date.
With closed eyes
"As this is a harvest festival, we pray that we get all these things this year," said Sudha, a teacher at Sharda Vidya Mandir.
Also, dishes such as payasam, puranpoli made of coconut stuffing, avial is prepared at the home, she informed. "We prepare a minimum of 21 dishes and also wear traditional and new clothes," said Chitra Ramanathan.
Jatin Das, a member of Bhopal Assamese Association, said Rongali Bihu is celebrated every year with much aplomb but this year everyone is away due to poll duty, he said.