New Year (South and Southeast Asian cultures)

Traditional South and South East Asian calenders Begin the New Year around mid-April, Most have now fixed the celebration to April 13th through April 15th in the Gregorian Calender.  It is most often celebrated with dancing; visiting the homes of freinds, family, and neighbors; praising ancestors; gift giving; water-related games; parades; and fireworks.  Many South and Southeast Asians return home for the New Year celebration.

In Bangladesh and West Bengal state, India, New Year is known as Bengali New Year, or Pohela Boishakh.

In Burma, New Year is known as Thingyan, Burmese New Year, or the New Year Water Festival. it is a Buddhist festival celebrated for four to five days leading up to the New Year. It was traditionally celebrated in the Burmese month of Tagu which fell around mid-April but is now celebrated April 13th to April 16th.

In Cambodia, the New Year celebration is known as Khmer New Year, Chol Chnam Thmey, or Cambodian New Year is celebrated on April 13th through April 15th. It is also the end of the harvesting season.

In Assam state, India, New Year is known as Rongali Bihu or Assamese New Year.

In Karnataka state, India, the New Year celebration is known as Bisu or India-Tuluva New Year.

In Kerala state, India, the New Year celebration is known as Vishu, Malayali New Year, or Kerala new year. The Vishu New Year festival in Malayalam, is a popular gathering celebratiion.

In the Punjab region of India, New Year is known as Vaisakhi or Hindu and Sikh New Year.

In Laos, New Year is known as Songkan, Pi Mai Lao (Pbeemai), or Lao New Year. It is generally celebrated from April 13th to April 15th.  It is the most widely celebrated festival in Laos and among Laotians around the world.

In Maldives and Lakshadweep and Kerala state, India, the New Year is known as Alathu Aharudhuvas or Mahl New Year.

In Myanmar, The New Year festival is knonw as Songkran, it is celebrated from April 13th to April 17th every year.

In Nepal, the new year celebration is known as Bikram Samwat, Vaishak Ek, or Nepali New Year.

In Orissa state, India, the New Year celebration is known as Maha Visuba Sankranthi or Oriya New Year.

In Tamil Nadu state, India, the New Year celebration is known as Puthandu or IndiaTamil New Year.
In Sri Lanka, the New Year celebration is known as Sinhalese New Year, or Aluth Avurudhu. The Tamil New Year is celebrated among Tamil populations.

In Thailand, the New Year celebration is known as Songkran or Thai New Year and is celebrated from April 13th to April 15th. Although January 1st is now the beginning of the year, The Traditional New Year is an official holiday.

In Vietnam, the New Year celebration is known as Tết Nguyên Đán (Tết or for short) or Vietnamese New Year. It is the most important and most widely celebrated holiday and festival in Vietnam and is celebrated on The Chineese New Year according to the Chineese calender.