Baisakhi in Punjab. Bohag Bihu in Assam. Poila Baisakh in West Bengal. Vishu in Kerala. Pudu Varsham in Tamil.

The spring festival, marking the new year in different calendars in various parts of the country, is celebrated in different ways.

In Punjab, Baisakhi, traditionally a harvest festival, is celebrated on the April 13 every year - once in 36 years, it falls on April 14 - marking the Punjabi New Year. People celebrate the joyous occasion by performing Bhangra and Giddha to the pounding rhythms of the dhol and rings in the New Year. Baisakhi also marks the founding of the Khalsa brotherhood by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

Sikhs visits gurdwaras and listen to kirtans and religious discourses. After the prayer, kada prasad (sweetened semolina) is served to the congregation. The function ends with langar, the community lunch served by volunteers.

Processions are taken out featuring mock duels and bands playing religious tunes. For people in villages this festival is a last opportunity for relaxing before they start harvesting of corn. Processions and feasting follow readings of the holy scripture of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.

In Assam, Bohag Bihu is the biggest festival cutting across caste and religion. It marks the Assamese new year and is intimately connected with agriculture. The first day is devoted to cattle rites. The next day is when the new year sets in. People take part in feasts in home, and wear new clothes. Friends and relatives visit each other and exchange gifts, the most symbolic of which is the hand-woven scarf known as gamocha.

Cultural functions are held in different communities. The hills and valleys resonate to the tunes of Bihu songs and the air of festivity continues for a whole month.

In Kerala, Vishu is the first day of the Malayalam calendar. Malayalees make elaborate preparations for this day to ensure that the year ahead will be a fruitful one by following the custom of seeing the Vishukani (auspicious sight) early in the morning. On the previous night of Vishu, fresh agricultural produce such as rice, paddy, cucumber, jackfruit, arecanut, coconut and ripe plantains are aesthetically decorated and placed at the feet of Lord Krishna. The little yellow flowers called Konna Poovu which are in full bloom during this season are considered a must in this assemblage which is looked upon as the symbol of prosperity.

Precisely at bramhamuhurtham - the auspicious hour just before sunrise - members of the family are brought to this assemblage blindfolded. There is a belief that to catch a glimpse of the reflection of these signs of prosperity in the mirror (Vishukani) at the crack of dawn would bring prosperity to the individual.

People buy new clothes for the occasion and the elders of the family distribute tokens of money to the children, servants and tenants. While the men and the children engage in bursting crackers, women start cooking a variety of delicacies for the day's lunch. The dishes are prepared from the vegetables and fruits that are abundant in the season like jackfruits, mangoes, pumkins, a variety of gourds, and coconuts.

Temples are filled with devotees and special pujas are held in which people worship and pray for a prosperous new year. They also view the Vishukanis that are prepared in each of these temples.

In Tamil Nadu, Pudu Varsham, which marks the day when Lord Brahma started creation, is celebrated with great fervour. There are many customary rituals which are followed on this first day of the Tamil new year. Early in the morning on this day, the entrance of the house is decorated with Kolam (Rangoli). The doorways are adorned with mango leaves to mark the auspicious nature of the occasion. After an early bath, the whole family prays together, after which the children are supposed to take the blessings of their parents. People greet each other saying "Puthandu Vazthukal" (Happy New Year).

Lord Ganesha is offered fruits, sweets and flowers. Again, food is a very important part of the festival. Particular emphasis is given to pulses and cereals. Business people generally start new account books for the new year on this day. Bonuses are often paid on the eve of the New Year.

In Bengal, Poila Baisakh is celebrated with great fervour in homes. The day marks the first day of the Naba Barsha or the Bengali new year. To welcome the new year, people clean and decorate their houses. Women draw beautiful designs called Alpana in front of their homes.

People worship goddess Lakkshmi for their well-being and prosperity. Here again, it is the beginning of all business activities when businessmen purchase new acccount books and start their new accounts.

Songs, indigenous games and recitation of poems are the other highlights of this festival.

One festival celebrated in so many different ways across the country. As the saying goes, it is diversity that defines India. Perhaps no other festival exemplifies this better than this spring festival.