On this day, people in Tamilnadu spend time with their families after they clean up the house, take part in prayers and offerings and start the day by making a visit to the temples. They sit down to relish a lavish spread of delicious vegetarian dishes in their best traditional clothes after having paid their respects to the elders in the family.
This festival alternatively known as Puthuvarusham, the New Year begins with the first month of the Tamil solar calendar, Chittirai. Moreover in some parts of Tamilnadu, the festival is also called ‘Chittirai Vishu’. Further as an arrangement of prayer offerings, a tray, comprising three fruits mango, jack fruit and banana and money in the form of coins, gold or silver jewelry, a mirror, flowers, betel leaves and arecanut, is prepared.
Furthermore similar to the tradition in
Kerala, seeing this auspicious festive tray kept right beside idols of gods and
goddesses as one wakes up, is believed to be a harbinger of good luck and
prosperity in the year to come. Welcoming positive vibes and blessings into the
house, floor designs called ‘kolams’ are made using colored rice flour at the
entrances.
