The traditional New Year in many South and Southeast Asian cultures is based on the sun's entry into the constellation Aries. In modern times, it is usually reckoned around the 14th of April.
As most countries and cultures of South and Southeast Asia lie within the Indian cultural sphere, the development of their traditional calendars have been strongly influenced by some form of the Hindu calendar. As in many other calendars, the New Year was based on the northern hemisphere vernal equinox (the beginning of spring). However, the Hindu calendar year was based on the sidereal year (i.e. the movement of the sun relative to the stars), while the Western Gregorian calendar is based on the tropical year (the cycle of seasons).
In ancient times, the sun's entry into Aries coincided with the equinox. However, due to the earth's axial precession, the sidereal year is slightly longer than the tropical year, causing the dates to gradually drift apart. Today, the sun's entry into Aries occurs around 18 April, according to astronomical definitions.[1] Some traditional calendars are still marked by the sun's actual movements while others have since been fixed to the Gregorian calendar.
The sun's entry into Aries is known as meṣa saṅkrānti in Sanskrit, and is observed as Mesha Sankranti and Songkran in South and South-east Asian cultures.[2]
^McClure, Bruce (28 December 2016). "Sun in zodiac constellations, 2017". EarthSky. EarthSky Communications Inc. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
^Robert Sewell; Śaṅkara Bālakr̥shṇa Dīkshita; Robert Schram (1996). Indian Calendar. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. pp. 29–35. ISBN978-81-208-1207-9.
^International Commerce. Bureau of International Commerce. 1970.
^Fodor's; Staff, Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc (12 December 1983). India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, 1984. Fodor's Travel Publications. ISBN978-0-679-01013-5.
April 14, 2023
south, southeast, asian, solar, year, traditional, year, many, south, southeast, asian, cultures, based, entry, into, constellation, aries, modern, times, usually, reckoned, around, 14th, april, contents, origins, celebrations, gallery, also, referencesorigins. The traditional New Year in many South and Southeast Asian cultures is based on the sun s entry into the constellation Aries In modern times it is usually reckoned around the 14th of April Contents 1 Origins 2 Celebrations 3 Gallery 4 See also 5 ReferencesOrigins EditAs most countries and cultures of South and Southeast Asia lie within the Indian cultural sphere the development of their traditional calendars have been strongly influenced by some form of the Hindu calendar As in many other calendars the New Year was based on the northern hemisphere vernal equinox the beginning of spring However the Hindu calendar year was based on the sidereal year i e the movement of the sun relative to the stars while the Western Gregorian calendar is based on the tropical year the cycle of seasons In ancient times the sun s entry into Aries coincided with the equinox However due to the earth s axial precession the sidereal year is slightly longer than the tropical year causing the dates to gradually drift apart Today the sun s entry into Aries occurs around 18 April according to astronomical definitions 1 Some traditional calendars are still marked by the sun s actual movements while others have since been fixed to the Gregorian calendar The sun s entry into Aries is known as meṣa saṅkranti in Sanskrit and is observed as Mesha Sankranti and Songkran in South and South east Asian cultures 2 Celebrations EditThe specific New Year observances include In South Asia Bohag Bihu Assam India Baisakh Ek Gate or Bisket Jatra Nepal Pahela Baishakh Bangladesh and West Bengal India Pana Sankranti Odisha India Sangken Khamti Singpho Khamyang Tangsa in Arunachal Pradesh and Tai Phake Tai Aiton and Turung in Assam Bwisagu Bodoland region of Assam India Buisu Tripura India Bizhu Chakmas in Mizoram Tripura and Bangladesh Puthandu Tamil Nadu and Puducherry India and Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka Vishu Kerala India Bisu Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka and Kerala India Jur Sital Mithila region of Bihar India and Nepal Vaisakhi Punjab North and Central India Nepalese New Year in Nepal 3 4 Aluth Avurudda Sri Lanka In Southeast Asia Thingyan Myanmar Pi Mai Laos Songkran Thailand Choul Chnam Thmey or Moha Sankranti Cambodia Water Sprinkling Festival Dais in Sipsongpanna in Yunnan ChinaGallery Edit Biska Jatra signifies the start of Nepali new year Myanmar performing traditional dance for the opening ceremony of the Thingyan Water Festival Elders cleanse statues of the Buddha with perfumed water in Cambodia Flour throwing in Laos Avurudu festival sweetmeats in Sri Lanka Sprinking water onto Buddha relics during the Songkran Festival in ThailandSee also EditIndian New Year s days Water Festival Sidereal and tropical astrologyReferences Edit McClure Bruce 28 December 2016 Sun in zodiac constellations 2017 EarthSky EarthSky Communications Inc Retrieved 9 October 2017 Robert Sewell Saṅkara Balakr shṇa Dikshita Robert Schram 1996 Indian Calendar Motilal Banarsidass Publishers pp 29 35 ISBN 978 81 208 1207 9 International Commerce Bureau of International Commerce 1970 Fodor s Staff Fodor s Travel Publications Inc 12 December 1983 India Nepal and Sri Lanka 1984 Fodor s Travel Publications ISBN 978 0 679 01013 5 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title South and Southeast Asian solar New Year amp oldid 1093323983, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
