Tamil New Year 2023: Puthandu Date, History, Importance & Significance

Tamil New Year (Puthandu) 2023 Date: Along with Tamilians across the world, many other Indian communities also celebrate their traditional new year around the same time

Tamil New Year 2023: Rangolis called kolams are drawn using rice flour (Express Archives)

Tamil New Year (Puthandu) 2023 Date: Puthandu, also known as Puthuvarudam or simply, Tamil New Year, is the first day of year in the Tamil calendar and is traditionally celebrated as a festival by Tamilians living in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the world. This year, as per the lunisolar calendar, it falls on April 14, and is a public holiday in Tamil Nadu. Notably, along with Tamilians across the world, many other Indian communities also celebrate their traditional new year around the same time — Bihu for the Assamese, Baishakhi in Punjab, and Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal.

Just before the day of Puthandu, cleaning activities begin in homes. As a ritual, people take herbal baths to cleanse themselves so as to start afresh on New Year’s Day. Turmeric baths are common among many women.

On the auspicious day, people wear new clothes and visit temples. The festival is also called ‘Chittirai Vishu’ in some parts of Tamil Nadu. The prayer offering includes three fruits — mango, jackfruit, and banana. Money in the form of coins, gold or silver jewellery, and a mirror, flowers, betel leaves and areca nut are offered. Rangolis called kolams are drawn using rice flour on the home entrances to mark new beginnings.

Story continues below this ad

Aarti rituals and lighting the sambrani are considered auspicious. People sing devotional songs and traditional instruments are played in households to observe the occasion. Pongal, a special rice dish, is offered to the Gods as well on the occasion.

Also Read | Tracing the growing consumption, market, and possible health effects of ready-to-cook food products

Friends and families get together to celebrate the day with lots of fun and a delectable feast that is prepared by the family members together. One of the star dishes on the menu is mangai-pachadi or mango pachadi, made with raw mango, sweet jaggery, red chillies, neem leaves and astringent mustard. It is said that metaphorically the feast reflects life — it comes packed with different experiences — sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. It is similar to Ugadi pachadi.

Also Read | Ayurveda alert: Why you must avoid these common food combinations

Another integral part of the custom is reading “Panchangam”. The reading is usually done by the oldest member of the family.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram

Govt cancels foreign funding licence of Sonam Wangchuk’s NGO amid Ladakh protests

India44 min ago

The Union Home Ministry has revoked the FCRA licence of Sonam Wangchuk's NGO due to violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The decision was made following a protest in Leh that resulted in four deaths, with the ministry citing Wangchuk's controversial statements as a contributing factor.

View all shorts

More Lifestyle

Lifestyle Neurosurgeon says a simple blood test can predict brain diseases years before symptoms; here’s everything you need to know