There is a rich history behind the celebration of New Year. In around 2000 BC for Babylonians, it used to depend upon the appearance of New Moon in the sky. The celebrations were grand and was a 11 days long affair.
Romans too followed the tradition of New Year celebrations with a great ardor. Different rulers changed dates to suit themselves. Thus, the Roman Senate decided 1st January the day to be celebrated as the New Year. Since, the New Year is associated with the birth and resurrection of Lord Christ, Church eulogize the occasion according to the pagan culture. The Feast of Christ is held within Church premises to be attended by the devotees.
On the other hand, modern times see people having a bash on the New Year Eve till the advent of new Year, irrelevant of the place they belong to. They wear unique dresses and have traditional New Year food that is supposed to bring in good luck. New Year is often represented with the symbol of a baby, which in itself is the epitome of treading on an altogether new path.
The oldest of all festivals is the New Year celebration, when people from all across the world are immersed in the equal fervor and mirth. This is actually a secular festival that breaks the boundaries of religion as well as region. Hope the New Year celebrations of 1st January 2008 are as jolly as ever before.
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