Puthandu in Tamil Nadu

“Puthandu” in Tamil literally means the New Year Day. “Tamil Puthandu refers to the beginning of the new Tamil calendar year, which has Chithirai as its first month. This is one of the important festivals celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Puthandu is also popularly called the “Varusha Pirappu” (the birth of New Year). According to the Gregorian calendar, the Tamil Puthandi usually falls on 13th or 14th April. People generally regard Puthandu as the day when Lord Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation started creating this universe. They also prepare a grand feast as part of their festive celebrations.

Puthandu Rituals

Tamilians celebrate the Varusha  Pirappu by following certain traditional rituals. The women in every family start their day by decorating their house entrances with colourful Kolam (rangoli). They also place a Kuthuvillaku (lamp) in the centre of the Kolam, which signifies the eradication of darkness and the subsequent arrival of light in their lives. People also visit temples to seek the divine blessings of Gods on the new year day.

Yet another popular tradition associated with the Tamil Puthandu is ‘Kanni Kannudhal’ (auspicious sight). This is a ritual where people start their new year by looking at auspicious things like gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. This ritual is widely followed with the belief that a good start to New Year will ensure happiness and prosperity in the forthcoming year. They also take oil bath and visit the temple after sighting the Kanni”. The Pudhu Panchangam is also read out as part of the Puthandu rituals.

Puthandu Celebrations

People celebrate the Puthandu by wearing new clothes on the day. They also prepare a lavish feast with special dishes like the ‘Maanga Pachadi’. Manga Pachadi is basically a recipe which tastes sweet, sour and bitter. This dish which is made using raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers, signifies the presence of sweet, sour and bitter experiences in our lives as well. Some people even get their houses painted for celebrating the birth of the tamil new year. People also drop in to their relatives and friends houses to exchange “Puthandu Vazthukal” (New year greetings). Youngsters are particularly excited about the Varusha Pirapu since they receive small gifts from all the elders of the family.

A huge Ther Thiruvizha (Car Festival) is held on this occasion at a place called Tiruvadaimarudur near Kumbakonam. Special temple festivals are also organised at various temples in cities like Tiruchirapalli and Kanchipuram. The renowned ‘Chitthirai Thiruvizha’  is also organized in the month of Chitthirai at Madurai to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar.

-Radhika T V