Tamil New Year 2023: Puthandu, also known as the Tamil New Year, is observed on the first day of the Tamil month of Chitterai. According to the Gregorian calendar, Puthandu will be observed on April 14, 2023. In addition to the state of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore also commemorate the Tamil New Year.
According to tradition and the Tamil solar calendar, if Sankranti occurs between sunrise and sunset, the day is regarded as New Year’s Day. If Sankranti occurs after sunset, the following day is known as Puthandu.
When does the Tamil New Year occur?
The holiday is celebrated annually on April 14. According to the lunar calendar, this day falls on the first of Chithirai month.
Tamil New Year Ceremonies
- Puthandu, the day of new beginnings, is notable for the renewal of aspirations and affectionate bonds. To preserve the sanctity of the festival, religious ceremonies kick off the celebrations.
- ‘Kanni’ is a well-known custom that is observed one day before the rituals and is referred to as the first sight of the New Year. A plate containing jewelry, fruits, betel leaves, cash, flowers, and a mirror is adorned and displayed so that it is the first to be noticed. It is believed that the first sighting of this “Kanni” will bring prosperity and pleasure in the New Year.
- People decorate their homes and environs with ‘Kolam’ made of rice flour powder. In the centre of this rangoli or Kolam is a lamp called ‘Kuthuvilakku,’ which represents the eradication of darkness from one’s existence.
- Everyone wears brightly coloured new clothes and bids each other “Puthandu Vazthukal” or “Puthandu Pirappuv,” which means “Happy New Year.”
- Tamil New Year Fact 2: A 60-year cycle governs the Tamil New Year. The present cycle spans between 1987 and 2047.
- On this holy day, vegetarian cuisine is consumed. Before the New Year, delicious delicacies such as Aluva, Asma, Kokis, Aggala, Atirasa, and Kevum are prepared. These are the primary dishes prepared for the Tamil New Year. Mango pachadi (a mixture of jaggery, chilies, neem leaves, salt, blossoms, and tamarind), appalam, payasam, coconut milk, paruppu vadai, aviyal, and veppam poo rasam are additional delicacies that are prepared.
- As blessings, elders provide children with gifts and funds.
- By paying homage to deities and visiting temples, adherents receive divine blessings. A few Tamilian families also perform holy rituals such as “Tharpanam” for the salvation of the spirits of their ancestors who have passed away.
- The highlights of Puthandu include the organisation of a car festival in Tiruvidaimarudur and the marriage of Meenakshi Devi to Lord Sundareswarar in the well-known temple of Madurai.
Origins of the Tamil New Year
It is widely believed that Lord Indra visited the universe on this day to certify peace and contentment. He is also known as the prince of harmony, and it is said that he rides a white chariot while donning a massive flower crown. He is plunged into the milk sea (Kiri Sayura) by defying earth’s gravity. It is also believed that Lord Brahma began creating the planet on this day.
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In a number of instances, the Tamil New Year has occurred in April, as noted in Tamil literature. The author of Nedunalvaadai, ‘Nakkirar,’ wrote in the 3rd century that the sun traverses all Zodiac signs on this day. Kudalur Kizhaar’s Purannanooru also mentions that today is the beginning of a new year. Several other works of literature have discussed the significance of the day and why it is observed.
Puthandu’s importance in Tamil
The Sauramana solar calendar is utilised by the Tamil people. This calendar measures the passage of time based on the apparent motion of the sun. Traditional calendars began on the day that the sun rose directly above the equator for the first time. Specifically, the equinox occurs when the sun is directly overhead in both the northern and southern hemispheres on or around April 14th, according to the majority of scientists. On this day, people hear various Tamil new year greetings, Kavithai.
This day represents a new beginning. People anticipate this day because it represents a clean slate and new opportunities. The menu includes raw mango and fresh flowers because they represent prosperity and new beginnings. In addition, jaggery, neem blossom, red pepper, fresh mango, and mustard are the primary components in the manga pachadi dish. Six distinct flavours exist in the universe, and these six encompass them all. This meal is a metaphor for the belief that there are numerous emotions to experience in this world besides happiness.
Celebrations
The Tamil New Year, also known as the Tamil Puthandu, is celebrated with a number of rituals before and during the festivals. The Tamil New Year focuses primarily on the potential for new beginnings in the coming year. Therefore, the festival begins with cleansing and organising the home in preparation for the new year.
People assemble food the day before the Tamil Puthandu festival to feast and celebrate. The majority of people adhere to the six distinct flavours of traditional Tamil cuisine, also known as the Arusuvai. These include sweet, bitter, salty, spicy, sour, and Thuvarpu, which is the flavour of nuts after a meal.
On the day of the festival, people decorate their homes with kolams. Using numerous kolam patterns, they use chalk or rice flour to decorate the entrances of their homes. A lamp is ignited to represent the annihilation of darkness and to enliven the celebration. On this day, people also take a turmeric-infused bath to wash away the anguish and sins of the previous year. They celebrate by wearing new clothes, with many individuals donning traditional Tamil attire. People also send each other “Puthandu vazthukal” New Year’s greetings in Tamil.
On the Tamil Puthandu, morning rituals include praying and making offerings to the gods. Along with flowers and garlands, candies and fruits are included in the offerings. Families unite and pray for their prosperity through various rituals, making it an ideal time. During prayer, classical instruments are performed and traditional songs are sung.
Traditional food
Food plays an important role in Tamil celebrations, and the Tamil New Year is one of the finest opportunities to sample traditional Tamil cuisine. Manga Pachadi is one of the distinct dishes prepared during the Tamil New Year. It includes ingredients such as jaggery, mango, betel leaves, and sambar powder masala that are sweet, piquant, and sour. Despite the fact that it is a side dish, kurukku kaalan is typically included in the traditional main course, which consists of assorted vegetables, steamed rice, and kurukku kaalan. Manga Pachadi is a must-make dish on New Year.
Manjal Poosanikai Sambar is another universally beloved dish. It is a nutrient-dense dish prepared with toor dal and pumpkin that is a staple in Tamil households. This primary dish is typically consumed in the afternoon. The Arachuvitta Rasam is an additional main course option. This dish is well-known throughout India, but Tamils prepare it frequently due to its powerful digestive properties.
Masala Dal vada, a combination of chana dal and urad dal, is a traditional snack created during the celebration when people wish each other “Happy Tamil New Year.” Typically, it is served with sambar, coconut chutney, or rasam. Aval Payasam, an outstanding dessert, is a beautiful south Indian kheer. It is typically composed of rice and has a creamy texture. During the festival, people also collect jackfruit, mango, and banana, which the Tamils consider to be among the finest fruits. Even during the Tamil New Year in 2023, it will be a delight to see such a vast assortment of fruits.
