Kutchi people celebrate new year day: PM Modi conveys greetings

Bhuj: The new-year of Kutchi people begins today on auspicious day of Ashadhi Bij.

In a tweet to convey greetings, the Prime Minister said, “Kutchi New Year-on Ashadhi Bij my lakhs of wishes to the Kutchi brothers and sisters.

My Ram Ram to the Sturdy and strong Kutchi brothers and sisters who are settled here and abroad, preserving traditional arts and culture of Kutch.”

In Kutch, this festival is celebrated for more than 900 years at the beginning of monsoon on Vikram Samvat calendar’s Ashadhi Bij. The rain is of utmost importance in the arid region of Kutch. So, Kutchis begin their new-year with a hope of good rain in monsoon.

કચ્છી નયે વરે – અષાઢી બીજ જો મેડે કચ્છી ભા ભેણે કે મુંજી લખ લખ વધાઈયું

કચ્છજી ભાતીગળ કલા અને સાંસ્કૃતિક વારસેજો જતન કરીધલ કચ્છજી ખડતલ ખમીરવંતી પરજા ડેસ અને પરડેશ મેં વસધલ કચ્છી ભા ભેણે કે મું તરફ થી નયે વરે જા રામ રામ.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2021

There is also a folk-tale behind the beginning of the new-year. It is said that a King named Raja Jam had exiled his son ‘Lakha’ from Kutch when insisted by one of his queens. After the exile of the prince Lakha, there was no peace and happiness in the region accompanied by complete absence of rain. Other princes were unable to do anything in Kutch in this regard. Prince Lakha felt sorry after knowing about this plight and he departed for Kutch. When he entered Kutch, it started raining again in the entire region. The occasion of Ashadhi Bij was on the next day after he arrived. After that, new-year is celebrated on Ashadhi Bij in Kutch because the fortunate days of Kutch started again after the return of Prince Lakha.

The second day of the ninth month is considered as Ashadhi Bij as per Vikram Samvat of Hindu Vaidik Panchang. The day is otherwise known for Rath Yatra processions. DeshGujarat