In Photos: Baisakhi, Bihu, Pohela Boishakh, Puthandu and Vishu the spring harvest festival of India

'Puthandu', or 'Puthuvarusham' is the Tamil New Year, the first day of the month Chithirai on the Tamil calendar. On this day, Tamil people greet each other by saying "Puthaaṇdu vaazhthugal. People prepare by cleaning the house the night before.

'Pohela Boishakh' is the Bengali New Year. 'Boishakh' is the first month of the Bengali calendar, and 'Poila' stands for First. So, Poila Boishakh literally means the first day of the month of Boishakh, thus, marking the beginning of a new year. People greet each other saying, 'Shubho Noboborsho' where Naba means New and Barsho mean Year, together means New Year.

Women in traditional clothes walk holding hands in a celebration rally on the occasion of the Bengali new year in Kolkata.

Vishu – Celebrated in Kerala. In Sanskrit language 'Vishu' means 'equal'. The festival of Vishu is celebrated in a big way in Kerala and the adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu. This festival signifies prosperity and is a festival of harvest. The most important features of the festival are “Vishukkani” which involves viewing a collection of auspicious object first thing in the morning and 'Vishukaineettam' which are gifts given to youngster by the elderly in the household.

People in Kerala buying the Konna flowers, which traditionally signify Vishu celebrations. It is one of the most popular traditional celebration festival followed by people of Kerala.

'Bohag Bihu' or 'Rongali Bihu', the most important festival of Assam, celebrates both the beginning of a new year and the harvesting season. It is usually celebrated with much fanfare by the Ahomiyas (natives of Assam). They seek the blessings of the almighty for a prosperous year while farmers extend gratitude for a good harvest.

The different days of 'Rongali Bihu' are dedicated to cattle, household deities, handlooms, farming equipment, among others. Dancing to the tunes of folk songs known as Bihu Geet, feasting and exchanging gifts form other traditions of the festival.

The festival of 'Baisakhi' or 'Vaisakhi' marks the Sikh New Year and is a spring harvest festival celebrated in Punjab and other parts of north India.

School children pose while performing Punjabi folk dance 'Bhangra' ahead of the Baisakhi festival in a wheat field on the outskirts of Amritsar.