Today all Hindu's around the world assemble in celebration of new beginnings as 16 March 2010 marks a New Year on the Hindu calendar.

Just as 1 January marks the start of a new year in the west, so too do Eastern cultures and religions have specific reasoning as to what marks their new year.

The 12 signs of the zodiac are considered important to each individual’s character and the cause and effect in their lives. Hence the period of Aries determines a new start of the zodiac period.

This date also marks the start of Ramayana week, where songs (bhajans) are sung, and stories and life lessons from the Hindu epic of The Ramayana are told, in honour and worship of Shri Ram, to celebrate His triumph over the demon Ravana.

Ramayana week starts today where a nine-day fasting period will be observed that will lead to the celebration of Ram Naumi. This day is commemorated as the birthday of Lord Ram, and will be observed on 24 March 2010.

Photograph courtesy: http://www.astrovalley.com/images/ramayan.jpg