Tamil New Year — Tamizh Puthandu and its significance
Tamizh Puthandu is round the corner, is said to be the first day of the year on the Tamil Calendar. Observed with the solar cycle of the Hindi Calendar and it falls almost on the 14th of April every year. People celebrate this day with much fervor and joy. People celebrate it with the hope that the year will bring them new opportunities and growth.
While it is Vishu for people in Kerala, it is Bihu for those in Assam, Ugadi in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Vaishakhi in Punjab and Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal. Manipur, Tripura, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, etc., too commemorate their new year festivities on the same day.
The day begins early in the morning, everyone in the house take an oil bath and go for ‘Kanni Kaanal’ or the auspicious sight. The ladies of the house place a plateful of fruits-all colorful, betel leaves, areca nuts, gold/silver jewellery, flowers and a mirror isarranged. The arrangement in the plate is the first thing that people see in the morning after waking up. Many people visit temples to seek the blessings of the lord to bring in growth and prosperity to all.
Women decorate the entrance of their homes with Rangoli made of rice powder and colorful powders and adorn the doors with mango leaves. On this day several fairs and cultural programs are organized all over the state of Tamil Nadu.
Many temples across Tamil Nadu perform special ‘abhishekams’ to deities on this day. In earlier times, the ‘panchangam’ (Hindu calendar) for the New Year would be read out aloud by the priest at the temple, for the benefit of all the devotees. These days, ‘panchangams’ are increasingly read at homes, by elders of the family. In Madurai, we can also witness the marriage of goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar in the form of Chittirai Festival with great fervor.
Next comes the “sumptuous spread”. Everyone sit down to relish a lavish spread of delicious vegetarian dishes in their best traditional clothes after having paid their respects to the elders in the family. The main dish that is prepared by the household is the “Manga Pachadi” or Mango Sweet Chutney that is particularly made using a variety of flavors in the coming year and the regular fare of Curry, Sambar, Tair Pachadi, Rasam, Sweet dessert consisting of Pongal or Payasam, Curd, Papad and Pickles. The “Manga Pachadi” It is made of raw mangoes, jaggery, and neem flowers which taste sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies that our life also be a mixture of sorrows and joy.
“Iṉiya puttāṇṭu nalvāḻttukkaḷ!” which translates to இனிய புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்) and is the equivalent to “Happy new year” is heard all around. You can view a list of Tamil New Year Names for your reference. Hope this helps.
“Ellorkkum puthandu nalvazhtukal!”
