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Hindus greet the New Year with equal fervour

Come January 1 and there will come a time for regulating religions, commercial and civil life. Irrespective of their religions, in our little island, we will all look forward to celebrating the new year.

Even though the new year is in AD - Anno Domini, the year of the lord, denoting the Christian era, Hindus have no squirms about greeting the new year with a happy heart.

Poojas are performed in Hindu temples especially for the new year, invoking the blessings of the Hindu gods to bestow their grace on the people of the country so that they will live in peace and harmony and that the country itself prospers..

In the fixing of dates for weddings or in observing death anniversaries and in South India, even birthdays, reference is made to the Tamil almanac and a date according to the Tamil calendar which begins in mid April is decided upon.

But for all other purposes the Christian calendar is followed. As usual, the Hindus visit the temples and invoke the blessings of the gods to bestow grace on all fellow beings and to lead this country into prosperity.

Joyously young people send their greetings over the telphone or e- mail to their friends and relations all over this land and the world over.

This is an international new year celebrated globally. Tamils, especially the Hindus celebrate it in just the way they celebrate their new year. The festive mood is in the air in every Hindu home and among the community in general. In this instance too one can see the religious fervour with which the Tamils greet their own new year. They do not narrow it down to the Christian community only. They share their joy and their good  feelings and fellowship towards one and all. For love and peace is what every human being truly desires in their hearts.

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