Puthandu or Tamil New Year is celebrated between April and May, during the Chittrai month. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival usually falls on the 13th April 2012. The day is also referred to as “ Varusha Pirappuy”. Tamil New Year is declared as a public holiday in bothSri Lanka and Tamil Nadu.

Rituals Performed on Tamil New Year

Natives of Tamil Nadu follow certain rituals so as to ensure prosperity and well-being of their near and dear ones. One of the well-known traditions is to watch Kanni at the break of dawn. This particular act is believed to bring in good luck for the members of the family. People also give a start to their day by watching auspicious items like silver or gold jewelry, coconuts, raw rice, flowers, fruits and vegetables, nuts, betel leaves etc. After offering their morning prayers on New Year, they read Panchangam.

Tamil New Year Greeting Cards and Wallpapers

Tamil New Year Celebrations

During Tamil New Year, the state also organizes for a huge Car Festival near Kumbakonam, Tiruvadamarudur. In some areas, Chitthirai is also celebrated with great vigor. According to legendary evidences, this is the same day when Goddesses Meenakshi tied the nuptial lock with Lord Sundareswarar. Every year, the festival of Chitterai Thiruvizha is celebrated on the eve of Tamil New Year at the Meenakshi Temple. Besides, a gala exhibition- Chitterai Porutkaatchi is also organized on Tamil New Year. This exhibition is also referred to as Chitterai Vishu in certain regions of South Tamil Nadu.

The preparations for the New Year start well in advance. You will find the entrances of the houses decorated with kolams. Raw mangoes and neem flowers are offered to Gods and Goddesses which symbolizes prosperity and growth. Tamils give a start to their year with an herbal bath. The game of coconut (popularly known as por-thenkai in Tamil Nadu) is played during the New Year. Cart races are equally enjoyed on this eve. This festive season is a great time for renewing filial bonds and establishing rapport with your near and dear ones.

Tamil New Year Celebrations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankans give a fair start to their New Year celebrations by executing their first financial transaction, commonly referred to as 'Kai-vishesham'. On this event, you will find elderly members of the family presenting monetary gifts to unmarried youngsters, specially children. This act of theirs is believed to bring in good luck for the youngsters. Besides, monetary transactions, farmers also start off with their first ploughing on this very day. They believe this to be an auspicious time as this is the very moment when the sun shifts from Meena rashi to Mesh rashi. Now, this specific shift is believed to a great time to execute new activities.

Delicacies Prepared on Tamil New Year

New Year marks a gala time for the natives of Tamil Nadu. The prime focus being on food, you will find women preparing lip smacking delicacies on New Year Eve. Maanga Pachadi ( a dish prepared using neem flowers, raw mangoes and jaggery) is the patent food during this festival.