Pune celebrates Puthandu, Vishu, Poila Boishakh and Rongali Bihu amid rising festive costs

Pune: This week is one of new years for the Tamil, Malayali, Bengali and Assamese communities who will mark the day with a mix of tradition, adaptation and resilience.On April 14, Puthandu begins for Tamil families with kolams at the doorstep, temple visits and elaborate meals. On April 15, Malayalis will celebrate Vishu with the ritual of Vishukkani at dawn, Bengalis will bring in Poila Boishakh with music, food and community gatherings, while Assamese families will mark Rongali Bihu with traditional feasts, music and dance."In the morning, families will visit temples such as Tirupati Balaji in Pashan, the Ganpati temple in Rasta Peth and the Murugan temple in Dehu Road," said Sathiyanarayanan L of the Tamil Sangam. "In the evening, we have organised a cultural programme with dance, singing and even a small fashion competition, followed by dinner. Around 200 to 250 people are expected to attend and we have kept it open to non-members as well," he said, adding that the festive meal will remain rooted in tradition, with varieties of rice, sambar, rasam, buttermilk, avial, poriyal, papadam and payasam.Celebrations will be more intimate for many Malayali families, this year. "There is nothing large-scale planned," said Manoj Pillai from city-based Malayali association Kendriya Pune Nair Service Society. "There are around nine associations across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, but most are limiting it to small family gatherings. We will prepare the Vishukkani, pray and go to the Ayyappa temples early morning," he said.Pillai pointed to rising costs as an added pressure. "Flowers, especially marigolds, have become expensive. Even basic festive essentials are affecting middle-class families. However, you cannot skip celebrating, so people adjust. Festivities have been heavier on the pocket, this year," he said.The Bengali community is also reworking its plans. Gaurav Mitra, general secretary of Bongiya Sanskriti Sangho in Handewadi, said many residents have travelled back to West Bengal to vote. "Resultantly, several associations have come together to organise a joint celebration on April 17. We will have a cultural programme, dinner and adda. We are expecting around 200-400 people. We will also felicitate members of the community who have done impactful social work in the city," said Mitra.Assamese residents described a similar balancing act. "We try to recreate home here with food, music and small gatherings. Even if the scale is small, the emotion is the same. You find your people and you celebrate," said Anushree Deka, an IT professional.Celebrations may be scaled down between travel plans, rising costs and civic duties, but remain deeply rooted — carried forward in kitchens, temple courtyards and shared spaces.
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