Chaitra Month: Gandharva Voices in Keonthal Seen as Auspicious

According to ancient Indian traditions, the Hindu New Year, Vikram Samvat, began on Saturday with the Chaitra month’s Sankranti. In the Keonthal region, this Sankranti is celebrated as Bishudi, or Choti Baishakh Saji. In the Shimla and Sirmaur districts along the Giriganga Valley, hearing the name of Chaitra month, or the Hindu New Year, from a member of the Gandharva community is considered auspicious. This tradition persists even in changing circumstances. In these areas, members of the Gandharva community have been following this tradition since time immemorial. In the Trigarta region, members of the Dolaru caste go from house to house, announcing the name of the Chaitra month through song. On New Year’s Day, people gladly offer them donations such as flour, rice, ghee, and Suhaagiya.
Renowned litterateur of the state and Padmashree Vidyanand Saraik told in a special conversation that Chaitra month has special significance in religious texts. Chaitra month is named after Chitra Nakshatra. Navratri falling in Chaitra month has special significance. Vikrami Samvat begins on the first day of Navratri. On this day, the coronation of Yudhishthra and the birth of the second Guru of Sikhs, Angad Dev, took place. According to the scriptural belief, Brahma created the universe on Chaitra Pratipada. Saraik says that the Sankranti of the month of Chaitra, which is called Bishudi, is the beginning of the new year in Hindu religion.
He explained that members of the Gandharva community visit the local temple in the morning to ring the bells and greet the deity with a happy new year. Afterward, they go door-to-door within their jurisdiction, singing the name of the month of Chaitra through a special song. This process continues throughout the month until Baisakhi, or Bishu Sankranti. He explained that people consider hearing the name of the month of Chaitra from the mouths of Gandharvas, or Mangalamukhi, as auspicious. However, this tradition is fading over time, and only a few members of this community are practicing it. Over time, various ancient traditions are gradually disappearing, which needs to be preserved in a timely manner.