Puthandu: Unveil Some Facts Of The Tamil New Year
The Tamil New Year, which occurs on the first day of the month of Chithirai, is celebrated as Tamil Puthandu. The Tamil solar calendar’s first month is Chittirai, and the new calendric year begins with Puthandu. It is also known as Varusha pirappu.
Puthandu is a day of feasting and revelry in Southern India, especially in the state of Tamilnadu. People enjoy the festival with much expectation and optimism, hoping that the coming New Year will bring them happiness and good fortune. It is often thought to be a good day to launch a new company or plan.
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Tamil Puthandu Date And Time
The day of Puthandu marks the beginning of Tamil Shaka Samvata 1945.
- Puthandu: Friday, April 14, 2023
- Sankranti Moment on the day of Puthandu – 03:12 PM
Puthandu Festival Significance
According to their solar calendar, Puthandu is the first day of the Tamil New Year. New Year’s Day ushers in a new era of optimism, making it both meaningful and auspicious. Some believe that Lord Indra, revered as the “Prince of Harmony,” visited Earth on the day of Puthandu to certify contentment and amity, while others believe that Lord Brahma created the Universe on this day.
People pray to the Almighty for good health, fortune, justice, and happiness on this day. They do so mainly in the hopes of having a good and happy year. People in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Odisha, Assam, Bihar, and Bengal also celebrate their New Year on this day.
Puthandu Festival Rituals
The Custom Of Kanni
On this day, a popular custom of ‘Kanni’ is followed where the auspicious sight is carried a day before the rituals. A platter is decorated with a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as Neem flowers and leaves, new clothing, gold or silver jewellery, and currency, on the eve of Puthandu. This platter is then set in front of a mirror in the temple room of the building. It is done to ensure that Kanni is seen at the first sight. It is believed that seeing Kanni, at first sight, would bring peace and success in the New Year ahead.
The Preparation Of Platter
People see the reflection of the platter full of things symbolising success the next morning, shortly after waking up. The entire family then prepares for the prayers, which are accompanied by a feast that primarily consists of pacchadi made of grated raw mango, jaggery, salt, red chillies, neem leaves, a splash of turmeric, and oil. The raw mango adds sourness, while neem adds bitterness, jaggery adds flavour, and chillies addTamil New Year pungency, among other things. It serves as a reminder that life is a jumble of emotions. As a result, one must love life and embrace all it has to do.
Tamil New Year Celebrations
- People dress up in new bright colours and greet one another with the phrase Puthandu Pirappuv or Puthandu Vazthukal, which means “Happy New Year.”
- On the festival day, the resident eats various delicious foods. Delicacies like Asma, Aluva, Aggala, Kevum, Kokis, and Atirasa are prepared days before the New Year. These are special items cooked during Puthandu. Mango Pachadi, a mix of chilies, jaggery, neem leaves, flowers, salt, and tamarind; payasam, puruppu vadai, appalam, Aviyal, fried appalam, coconut milk, curd, veppam poo rasam, and other dishes are among the menu items. Puthandu is known for two types of dishes, one sour and one sweet. Puthandu is also known for its special rice kheer or pal payasam.
- Temples are used by devotees in order to receive divine blessings. While some Tamilian families practice ceremonies such as ‘Tharpanam’ to ensure the survival of their ancestors’ souls.
- The organising of a car festival in Tiruvidaimarudur and the grand marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar in Madurai’s famous temple takes place on this day.
- Reading “Panchangam” is also an important aspect of the tradition. The reading is normally done by the family’s eldest person.
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Some Facts About The Puthandu Festival
- A 60-year period is used in the Tamil calendar. Chittirai is the first month of a Tamil year, which begins on April 14th in the Gregorian calendar.
- Tamilians begin their New Year’s preparations by cleaning their homes the night before. They agree that before a new beginning can start, the old & negative must be removed.
- In Tamil Nadu, what is known as rangoli elsewhere, is known as Kollam or Kolam.
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The Closing Note
May the New Year bring with it a new beginning, new prosperity, harmony, joy, and happiness. We wish you a Happy And prosperous Puthandu!
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