Puthandu , Tamil New Year

 First day of year on the Tamil calendar

Puthandu, also known as Puthuvarudam Or Tamil New Year, is the first day of year On the Tamil calendar and traditionally celebrated as a festival.

The festival date is set with  the solar cycle of the lunisolar Hindu calendar,as the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai.

Why is the Tamil New Year, Puthandu,celebrated on a different day from Ugadi?

Puthandu is based on the solar calendar, while Ugadi is based on the lunar calendar. The solar calendar is based on the position of the sun, while the lunar calendar is based on the position of the moon.

As a result, the dates of Puthandu and Ugadi may differ by one day or more. Both festivals are celebrated to mark the beginning of the new year and to bring prosperity and happiness to the people.

 How do Tamilians celebrate Puthandu,the Tamil New Year?

Tamil New Year, Puthandu, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional customs in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the world where Tamilians reside. The celebrations usually take place on the 14th of April every year.

On this day, people wake up early, take a bath, and wear new clothes. They decorate the entrance of their houses with colorful rangolis, also known as kolams, made with rice flour.

People visit temples and offer prayers to seek blessings from the Almighty. Special puja rituals are performed in homes and temples to mark the beginning of the new year.

A delicious feast is prepared with traditional dishes like sweet pongal, vadai, and payasam. People exchange sweets and gifts with their family and friends.

Cultural programs and processions are also held to celebrate the festival. The day is considered to be an auspicious one, and many people start new ventures or make new resolutions for the upcoming year. Overall, Puthandu is a day of joy and happiness, and people celebrate it with great enthusiasm and traditional fervor.

Inviting sweet moments on Tamil New Year's Day is understandable but why would anyone want invite bitter momments? 

 Inviting bitter moments on Tamil New Year's Day is not a common practice. In fact, the opposite is true. People usually strive to have a positive and auspicious start to the new year by performing rituals and seeking blessings. However, some believe that experiencing a bit of bitterness at the start of the year can bring balance and humility, and prepare them for whatever challenges they may face in the coming year. This belief is more of a philosophical concept than a literal invitation of bitterness.

 What about the traditional Tamil New Year lunch

The traditional Tamil New Year lunch or feast, also known as "Puthandu Saapadu," is a significant part of the Puthandu celebrations. It includes an elaborate spread of vegetarian dishes, which vary from region to region. Some of the popular dishes include sweet pongal, vadai, sambar, rasam, and payasam. The meal is served on a banana leaf and is usually eaten with hands while sitting on the floor. The feast is a symbol of unity, and people often invite friends and family to join them in the celebrations. Overall, the Puthandu lunch is a delicious and integral part of the Tamil New Year festivities.

 Some Facts about Puthandu or the Tamil New Year:

• Puthandu is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai, which usually falls on April 14th.
• Puthandu is also known as Varusha Pirappu, which means "the birth of a new year."
• The festival is celebrated not just in Tamil Nadu but also in other parts of India and the world where Tamilians reside.
• The Puthandu celebrations include many traditional customs, such as wearing new clothes, decorating the entrance with rangolis, and preparing an elaborate feast.
• People often start new ventures or make new resolutions for the upcoming year on Puthandu.
• Puthandu is also celebrated in Sri Lanka, where it is known as Sinhalese New Year and is a public holiday.
• The Tamil calendar, which is based on solar calculations, has been in use for more than 2,000 years.
• In 2021, Puthandu falls on April 14th and marks the beginning of the Tamil year 5123.