2017-03-28 Tue

As the sun gives light, sensibility brings compassion, flowers give pleasant fragrance, may the new year be auspicious!

Heralding new beginnings and victories, ‘Chaitra Shukla Pratipada’ is celebrated with much zest and pomp all around India. It is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra maas of the Shaka Era to mark the beginning of the New Year according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. This day also celebrates the creation of the universe by Lord Bramha and the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile!

India being predominantly an agrarian society, celebrations and festivals are often linked to the changing of seasons and to the sowing and the reaping of crops. Chaitra Shudha/Shukla Pratipada is to celebrate the coming of the spring season (vasant rutu) which marks the end of one agricultural harvest (Rabi) and the beginning of a new one (Kharif).

With many diverse cultures in India, each cultural unit celebrates this day differently. Maharashtra (Marathi speaking) celebrates it as ‘Gudhi Padwa’ while Karnataka, Telangana and Andra Pradesh (Telegu speaking) celebrates it as ‘Ugadi’. And it is called as ‘Samvatsar Padvo’ among the Konkanis of Goa and Kerala and ‘Navreh’ amongst Kashmiri Pandits. The Day is also termed as Yugadi as a brand new year begins.

Historically, the beginning of the Shalivahana Shaka or the Shaka Era is disputed. Though it is generally accepted that the Shaka Era corresponds to 78 CE or 78th year of the Julian Era, the ruler who started it remains much debated amongst the scholars.

Many believe that the ‘Shaka Era’ commemorates the victory of Satavahana King Gautamiputra Satakarni over the Western Kshatraps (Shaka). Others suggest that the “Shalivahana Shaka” Era or Shaka Era commemorates the birth or the victory of a King named Shalivahana, who is often regarded to be a Satavahana king.

The beginning of the Shaka Era is also connected to the ascension of a Western Kshatrap King Chashtana in 78 CE. A few of his inscriptions are said to have the Shaka dates. Furthermore, many early historians had associated the beginning of the Shaka era to the ascension of Kanishka I in 78 CE. However Kanishka being a Kushan King and not a Shaka (Indo-Scythian), this theory is now taking a back seat.

To complicate things further, a branch of scholars also believe an Indo-Scythian or Shaka King Azes I to have started the Shaka Era! In spite of its debated origins, Indians have celebrated the new year of this era with enthusiasm and splendour!

Further, in 1957 this calendar system was adopted as the Indian National Calendar alongside the Vikram Samvat and the Gregorian calendar. Saka Calendar is also used by our neighbouring countries like Bali, Nepal, and Indonesia.

Did you know that over time, the word "Shaka" became generic, and came to mean "an era" and this era thus came to be known as "Shalivahana Shaka"!

Happy New Year to all...Keep collecting and be happy!