Women who worship Gauri, the bride of Lord Shiva, commemorate Gangaur, one of the most vibrant and significant festivals of the Rajasthani people,
with tremendous zeal and devotion throughout the state in April. The ladies of the community celebrate Gangaur with tremendous fervour and devotion,
asking Goddess Parvati/Gauri to provide them marital bliss as well as a beautiful spring full of crops. They also implore the goddess to bless their
spouses with good health and a long life. Both married and single women participate enthusiastically in the festivities, create clay statues of Shiva
and Parvati, dress them elegantly, pray to them, keep a daylong fast for marital bliss, and cook delicious meals for the family.
Bohag Bihu Festival,Assam
The Assamese New Year officially begins with the celebration of Bohag Bihu in the month of Bohaag (middle of April),
the first month of the Assamese calendar. Beginning on April 14th, Bohag Bihu
is observed for seven days.
"Garu Bihu" is the name given to the first day of the Bihu. On this day, folks bathe and pray for the health and safety of their home cattle while they take them to the river for a bath. People take a turmeric-based bath on "Manuh Bihu," the second day of Bihu. The "Guxai bihu," or bihu of the home deities, is held on the following day of Bihu.
"Taator bihu" or "bihu for the handlooms" is the fourth day.
The "Nangolor bihu" for the farming machinery is the next step.
The domestic animals are to be honoured on the sixth day, or "Gharosia Jibar Bihu."
The seventh and final day is referred to as "Chera bihu."
The primary components of this Bihu are dance and songs. The folk melodies linked with Bohag Bihu
are referred to as "Bihu Geet," and they serve as a symbol of love and passion among the young people of the hamlet.
Traditional Assamese instruments are used to accompany the dances.
Vaisakhi Festival,Punjab
The Sikhs observe Baisakhi by taking a dip in the revered river and visiting the Gurudwaras, where they participate in the daytime
prayers and the Nagar Kirtan procession. Everyone becomes merry during Baisakhi, and many like getting up and dancing all night long.
Special ceremonies are held at the Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh revised the revered Granth Sahib, the Gurudwara at Anandpur Sahib,
the birthplace of Khalsa, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Farmers pray for success in the upcoming year and give thanks to God for
the abundant crop. Joyous farmers shout "Jatta Aayi Baisakhi" over the fields as they fervently dance and sing in honour of the holiday.
It is an exhilarating way to begin the celebration.
Thirunelli Temple Vishu Festival,Kerala
The yearly celebration of Sree Thirunelli Devaswom in Thirunelli in Wayanad is the Thirunelli Festival, a two-day event held on Vishu Day and
its eve in the Malayalam month of Medam (April). The holy mountain spring known as Papanasini, which is said to have the divine ability to cleanse
the soul of all sins, flows close to the shrine. On the new moon days of the Malayalam months of "Karkkidakam" (July/August),
"Thulam" (October/November), and "Kumbham" (February/March), ceremonial gifts are given for the ancestors at a sacred rock nearby.