New Year's Day

Next New Year's Day Thursday, 1 January 1970

New Year's Day is celebrated every year on January 1 in India as well as all over the globe. It is a restricted or optional holiday in India which means that employees can choose whether they wish to work on the day or not. It is a paid leave as well.

With a population exceeding 1.4 billion people, India is one of the most diverse countries, home to a multitude of communities. While January 1 is a globally accepted New Year's Day, Indians follow many different types of New Year's.

Different Types of New Year's in India

Baisakhi (Punjabi New Year)- April 13, 2024
Bestu Varas (Gujarati New Year)- November 2, 2024
Bohag Bihu (Assamese New Year)- April 14, 2024
Gudi Padwa (Marathi New Year)- April 9, 2024
Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year)- April 9, 2024
Navreh (Kashmiri Hindu's New Year)- April 9, 2024
Poila Baisakh (Bengali New Year)- April 15, 2024
Puthandu (Tamil New Year)- April 14, 2024
Ugadi (Telugu New Year)- April 9, 2024
Vishu (Malayalam New Year)- April 14, 2024

New Year's Day Celebration in India

January 1 or New Year's Day is a grand celebration in India that echoes in each and every corner of the country.

Fireworks adorn the sky, people wear new clothes, nightclubs are filled, concerts become louder, roads become busy, families celebrate together, feasts are held, delicious meals are cooked, and laughter fills the air as everyone comes together to usher in the new year with boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The essence of New Year's is beautifully unique in every city, crafting moments that linger in people's hearts forever.

New Year Celebration in Different Cities

Mumbai

If you are in Mumbai on New Year's Eve, make sure to visit these iconic sites- Marine Drive, Juhu Beach, The Gateway of India, Girgaum Chowpatty, and Bandra. However, if you are not a fan of crowds, maybe avoid them.
Many people also visit religious places like Mumbadevi and Siddhivinayak temples to seek blessings for the new year.

Delhi

The capital city of India bustles on New Year's Day every year. People flock to Connaught Place, India Gate, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas Village and so on. Due to the intense crowd, the Government deploys extra Police officials to manage the crowd and ensure a safe celebration in the city.

Kolkata

If you are in 'The City of Joy' on New Year's, make sure to visit Park Street. Some other hotspots in the city include Eco Park, Alipore Zoo, Science City, and Maidan.

Goa

Goa is one of the top destinations on New Year's visited not just by Indians but people from all over the globe. If you are a fan of beachside parties, cozy bonfires, cruise parties and dazzling nightlife, Goa is the one for you.

Chennai

Similar to Goa, Chennai is also famous for its New Year beach parties. Marina Beach is a perfect example of this. It is the second-longest urban beach in the world which is a sight to behold on New Year's Eve. Fireworks, enchanting performances by artists, and mouth-watering delicacies by street vendors are a common sight.
If you wish for a more serene and peaceful outing, Elliott's Beach might be the right choice.

Bangalore

If you are in Bangalore on New Year's Eve, there are tons of parties you can attend. MG Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road and Indiranagar are some of the most iconic hotspots of the city. The entire city flocks to the street to welcome the New Year.

How January 1 Came to Be Celebrated As New Year's Day

January 1 marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar that is widely recognized and followed all over the world in the modern era. However, history has witnessed the creation of many different calendars before the Gregorian calendar finally found its place.

It was former Roman Dictator Gaius Julius Caesar who started the Julian Calendar in 45 BCE. It was the first calendar that marked January 1 as the first day of the year. Before this, the new year began sometime around March. Romans worshiped Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, on this day.

The Julian calendar started gaining quite a lot of popularity. However, a large part of Europe was still skeptical about it. It was later discovered that the Julian Calendar contained some inaccuracies, resulting in misalignments with seasonal equinoxes and Catholic observances.

This is why, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII started the Gregorian Calendar which is now used as the standard calendar all over the globe.

Read The Gregorian Calendar to know its complete history.

What To Do On New Year's Day

If you are someone who does not like going to crowded clubs or parties, you can always host an intimate brunch or get-together. Spending New Year's with your closest people is the best way to kickstart the year.
New Year's Day symbolizes a fresh journey with all the learnings of the previous year. Why not start it on a charitable note? You can donate clothes you don't wear anymore, leftovers, and old toys to people who need it more than you.
You can kickstart the New Year by going on a trip. Yes, you definitely deserve a break from the monotony! It doesn't have to somewhere luxurious or far. Even a nearby hill station will become unforgettable memories that you will cherish forever.
Remember to take a break. It is okay to not participate in anything and simply spend the day meditating, journaling, reading, pampering yourself or sleeping.
New Year's is a great time to shop. Every store, both online and offline, offers lucrative discounts on this day so make sure to take advantage of it.