Happy New Year 2026: How to start & why is celebrated on January 1st

As the clock strikes 12 on the night of December 31st, excitement reaches its peak across the world. The final 10-second countdown begins…10, 9, 8…and then, as the clock strikes 12, the echo of “Happy New Year” resonates throughout the world. The sky lights up with fireworks, mobile phones are flooded with greetings, and people embrace each other to welcome the New Year. All this happens with the arrival of the New Year.

But have you ever wondered why New Year is celebrated on January 1st? And how can we make the beginning of this new year more positive and meaningful? Let’s find out in detail.

Why is New Year celebrated on January 1st?

The tradition of celebrating New Year is directly linked to the Gregorian calendar, which is followed by most countries around the world today. This calendar is believed to have originated with Roman civilization. In ancient Rome, the New Year initially began in March, but this changed over time.

In 46 BC, Roman Emperor Julius Caesar reformed the calendar, declaring January the first month of the year. Later, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII further reformed it and implemented the Gregorian calendar, which we know today as the modern calendar. Since then, January 1st has been celebrated as New Year’s Day worldwide.

The month of January was named after the Roman god Janus, who was considered the god of doors, beginnings, and change. Janus, with two faces, looked backward and forward, implying learning from the past and moving forward. This is why January 1st is considered a symbol of new beginnings.

Diverse New Year Traditions in India

However, the New Year in India is not limited to January 1st. Different regions celebrate the New Year on different dates. Such as Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (Hindu New Year), Baisakhi, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Puthandu, and Navreh. However, the New Year, celebrated globally on January 1st, is now widely accepted in India as well.

Start the New Year 2026 this way

May the New Year not be limited to celebrations and good wishes but also be an opportunity for introspection and self-improvement. Let’s explore some simple yet effective ways to start 2026 on a positive note.

Make positive resolutions:

The New Year is a time of new hopes. Make a resolution related to your life that you can actually keep. Such as taking care of your health, going to bed and waking up on time, learning a new skill, limiting mobile use, or exercising regularly.

Learn from the past year:

Build on the good things that happened in 2025 and learn from the mistakes. The new year will be meaningful only if we take our experiences with us and move forward.

Spend time with loved ones:

Spending time with family and loved ones on the first day of the New Year strengthens relationships. This day should be a day of emotional connection.

Give well wishes:

New Year greetings shouldn’t be mere formal messages. Heartfelt wishes can make someone’s day special.

Resolve to serve:

Beginning the New Year with a helping hand to someone in need doubles the joy. Even a small gesture can bring about a profound change in their life. To change someone’s life, resolve to do your first act of kindness this New Year.

New Year 2026: A New Beginning

New Year 2026 offers us the opportunity to give wings to our dreams once again. Remember, the New Year itself doesn’t change anything; we bring about change through our thoughts, habits, and actions. So, this time, when the clock strikes 12 and you say, “Happy New Year 2026,” make a resolution that this year is not just a change of dates but a year of positive change in your life. Begin this journey with ‘Naye Saal Ki Pahli Neki’ and bring the light of self-reliance into someone’s life.

May the New Year 2026 bring happiness, health, peace, and success to all of you; this is our best wish.