For many millennia, Indian society has been primarily focused on Agriculture. As such, the spring season is when the winter crops are harvested. The festivities involve the cooking of special delicacies, and in many parts of India, the season also marks the beginning of a new year. This guide will help you explore recipes of special foods cooked at this time. I have picked one southern state- Kerala, one eastern state - West Bengal, and one northern state of India - Punjab, to illustrate the diversity of the cuisine.
Vishu is a cultural festival that marks the advent of the New Year for the Hindus that belong to the southwestern state of Kerala. It is marked on the first day of the month of Medam (Technically the 9th month on the solar calendar). It also coincides with spring harvest. Mango in its tender state, Coconut, Jackfruit, a special kind of cucumber called Dosakai Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus), Drumsticks (the fruit of the Moringa plant) etc. are considered the produce of the season. An ornamental yellow colored flower called Kani Konna (Cassia Fistula or Golden shower) is also a symbol of this particular festive season.
Four distinct aspects of the festivities include Vishukani (the first vision as the day dawns), The vishu sadya (feast which is usually served at lunch), Vishu padakkam (fireworks to mark the occasion) and Vishu Kaineetam (a sort of gift giving where the elders give small amounts of money to the younger lot of the household)
Story about Vishu : This link leads you to a place with more details on the festival.
The spring festival in the state of Bengal is called Pohela Boishakh or Poila Baishakh and falls around the 14th or 15th of April every year. Day one of the month of Baishakh is marked as the New year (Nababorsho). Interestingly, this festival is also celebrated in equal fervor by the people of Bangladesh which prior to India's independence in 1947 was part of India and in spite of the fact that the country is majority Muslim. This region does include non-vegetarian food in its festivities unlike other regions of India where Hindu religious festivals avoid use of eggs, meat and fish and the food is almost always vegetarian.
To know more : POILA BAISAKH-The Cultural Significance
The spring harvest festival is celebrated in the northern state of Punjab by the name Baisakhi or Vaisakhi. In Punjab, this is also celebrated by the people who belong to the Sikh religion as well. Thus, the rituals of the Sikh celebration and the Hindu celebration are quite intertwined. The festival gained religious significance for Sikhs when Guru Gobind Singh, their 10th and final living guru, created the Khalsa on this day in 1699.
For some additional reading: Baisakhi celebration in India
