Religious celebrations during Tamil New Year. A file picture

Jamshedpur, April 12: For people of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Bengal, it’s time to make a fresh start.

While people from Tamil Nadu would be celebrating their New Year on April 14 with the Keralites, the very next day is the Bengali New Year.

Like all Indian celebrations, the three would be steeped in ceremonies and rooted in traditions.

For the Keralites, the first day of Medam (March-April), called Vishnu, is a line up of traditional rituals which guarantee a prosperous year for the people. One of the main rituals of the day would be a glimpse of the Vishnukani (a vessel with an assortment of goods that symbolise prosperity) in a mirror at brahmamuhurtam — or the auspicious hour (sunrise).

The assortment, symbolic of prosperity, would be placed on Lord Krishna’s feet on the day. But that’s not all. There are elaborate rituals that start from a day in advance. “In Kerala, a kani or the vessel is even taken to the cattle shed,” said K. Muralidharan, secretary, Kerala Samajam. And families make trips to the nearest temple for a glimpse of the Kani.

In Jamshedpur, the Kani would be arranged in Sastha Temple at Bistupur and in Guruvayur Temple at Telco, which is on the Bhuvaneshwari temple’s campus, for the devotees to view.

For the Tamils, Madrasi Sammelani is ready with the two Ps — poli and payasam along with the vada and mango chutney. This apart there would also be a musical celebration to usher in the New Year.

“Shree Vidya, a renowned vocalist from Calcutta will perform at the Sammelani centre with her mother accompanying her on the violin and her brother on the mridangam,,” said G. Shankar, secretary of the Madrasi Sammelani.

The feast will have traditional items such as payasam or kheer and poli — a roti with coconut and jaggery stuffing.

Food is also crucial in the celebrations of Keralites. A feast rich in fruits such as jackfruits, mangoes, pumpkins and coconut would be on the offing.

The Veppampoorasam — a preparation with neem and Mamphalapachadi, a sour mango soup, is also a traditional dish.

Not to be left behind, Kerala Samajam would be celebrating a community get-together on April 21. But it would be a joint celebration of both Easter and Vishu.

All Kerala Samajam-run schools would hold cultural programmes.

“We are trying to coordinate between each school. What’s a new start minus dance and music?” asked Varghese Sammuel, member of Kerala Samajam.

Bengalis, too, are getting all geared up for April 15.

Poila Boishak would be celebrated at Beldih Kali Bari on April 15.

Devotional music by city artistes, distribution of calendar and prasad will be on the agenda from three in the morning.