Why Do We Celebrate New Year

The excitement has begun. Just few moments are left for December 31st to end and then there will be the beginning of a whole new chapter of 365 days.

- Sayak Karmakar

People living all round the globe are geared up for the celebrations and are now just waiting for the clock to struck 12. But why do we celebrate January 1 as New Year? Why there is a lot of excitement on the night of December 31st and the same excitement vanishes in the next day itself? None other days, apart from our birthdays we can find such levels of excitement within ourselves and other people around.

In many countries, New Year’s celebrations begin as early as on the evening of December 31—The New Year’s Eve—and continues the whole day of January 1. People enjoy meals and snacks and chant prayers for a well made next year. In many regions of Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes-symbolizing their hopes for the month’s ahead-right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes are made and people go out with their friends and families to enjoy this special day.

The modern day celebration of New Year’s Day has its roots back from the ancient days of Roman culture. There were feast arranged for Roman god Janus – god of doorways and beginnings on that day. Interestingly, the name for the month of January also comes from Janus, who was characterized by two faces. The significance of two faces were; one looking into the past and one seeing the bright future. Thus this celebration for Lord Janus during the later stages became significantly popular as New Year celebration.