Tamil New Year is better known as “Puthandu” and it is the celebration of the first day of Tamil New Year in mid April by Tamils in Tamilnadu and Puducherry in India, Srilankan Tamils and Indian Tamils of Srilanka and by Tamils in Malaysia, Singapore, Reunion and Mauritius. On this day the Tamil people greet each other by saying “Iniya Puthandu Nalvaalthukkal”. It is the first day of the Tamil month Chittirai in Tamil solar calendar.
On the eve of Puthandu, a tray a is arranged with three fruits namely apple, Mango and jack fruit plus in addition betel leaves and areca nut, gold or silver jewellery, coins or money, flowers and a mirror is placed.
This is to be viewed upon when waking in the morning. In some parts of Southern Tamilnadu it is called as Chittirai Vishu. The day is marked with a feast in Tamil homes and the entrances are decorated with Kolams.
This auspicious day is celebrated by many communities with neem flowers and raw mangoes to symbolize growth and prosperity. The 60 year cycle is ancient and is observed by most traditional calendars of India and China, and is related to five revolutions of Jupiter, or to 60 year orbit of Nakshatras (Stars) as described in the Surya Siddhantha. This day is announced as public holiday in both Tamilnadu and Srilanka. Advance wishes to all the people who will celebrate the auspicious Tamil New Year eve.
