Assam, Bengal and Kerala revel on New Year's Day

New Delhi: Rosebuds were distributed at Kolkata police stations, people danced to drumbeats in Assam, while Malayalis woke up blindfolded so that they could open their eyes to the deity - many parts of India celebrated New Year's Day by their regional calendars yesterday.

People across Kerala thronged temples to celebrate Vishu. Praying on this day is believed to bring good fortune in the coming year. There were large crowds at the famous temples in Sabarimala and Guruvayoor and the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram.

Special arrangements were made for devotees to queue up and have "Vishukani darshan".

On Vishu, it is believed that people should see Vishukani - an offering -in the morning as a good omen for the entire year.

In Hindu homes in Kerala, preparations for Vishukani start the night before with a special vessel and fresh farm produce.

On the morning of New Year's Day, young and old come blindfolded in front of the Vishukani placed in front of the deity so that they see this before they see anything else.

In Kolkata, a surprise package of the day came from police. As soon as any civilian stepped into any police station of the metropolis yesterday, he or she was welcomed with roses and soft drinks.

Well-wishers

Kolkata Police Commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakravarty said: "This is just an effort from our side to show that we are friends and well-wishers of the public. The cost of the flowers and the beverages will be borne from our personal funds."

The Bengali calendar turned 1415 yesterday... and Bengal celebrated its New Year's Day combining tradition with novelty.

There were queues of about 20,000 people outside the temples at Kalighat and Dakshineswar - with devotees praying for prosperity throughout the year.

In Assam, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said: "The mood is festive and we hope Rongali Bihu ushers in a new dawn of hope and peace."