Puthandu 2019 (Tamil – தமிழ்ப்புத்தாண்டு) or Tamil New Year celebrations. Tamilians living in the state of Tamil Nadu or outside wish each other by saying Puthandu Vazthukal that translates to ‘Happy New Year’ in Tamil.
celebration across the world
In Malaysia and Singapore, Tamils join Sikhs, Malayalees and Bengalis to celebrate the traditional new year in mid-April with leaders across the political spectrum wishing the ethnic Indian community for the new year. Special religious events are held in Hindu temples, in Tamil community centers and Gurdwaras. Cultural programs and media events also take place. Its a day of celebration for the Indian community
Interestingly, along with Tamilians across the world, many other Indian communities celebrate their traditional new year around the same time. While it is called Vishu in Kerala, it is Bihu for those in Assam, Baishakhi in Punjab and Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal.
History
Tamil people celebrate Puthandu, also called Puthuvarudam, as the traditional New Year. Puthandu, according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar’s solar cycle, is the first day of the traditional Tamil New Year. This is the month of Chittirai, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar, and Puthandu typically falls on 14 April In some parts of Southern Tamil Nadu,India the festival is called Chittirai Vishu.
Celebration
On the eve of Puthandu, a tray arranged with three fruits (mango, banana and jack fruit), betel leaves and arecanut, gold/silver jewellery, coins/money, flowers and a mirror This is similar to the Vishu new year festival ceremonial tray in Kerala. According to the Tamil tradition, this festive tray is auspicious as the first sight upon waking on the new year day Home entrances are decorated elaborately with colored rice powder. These designs are called kolams.
Festival
In the temple city of Madurai, the Chitterai Thiruvizha is celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple. A huge exhibition is held, called Chitterai Porutkaatchi.On the day of the Tamil New Year, a big Car Festival is held at Tiruvidaimarudur near Kumbakonam. Festivals are also held at Tiruchirapalli, Kanchipuram and other places in tamilnadu.
kolam
Tamil Hindus decorate their homes with various auspicious colorful geometric designs from rice powder called Kolam observe the traditional new year in April with the first financial transaction known as the Kai-vishesham. In this transaction children go to elders to pay their respect, and elders give their blessings and gift pocket money to the children in return. The event is also observed with the ‘arpudu’ or the first ploughing of the ground to prepare for the new agricultural cycle. The game of ‘por-thenkai’ or coconut wars between youth is played in villages through the Tamil north and east of the island while cart races are also held. The festive Puthandu season in April is a time for family visits and the renewal of filial bondsIt coincides with the Sinhalese new year season.
Dish
Two styles of mango-based pachadi dish, that combines many bitter-sour-sweet-pungent flavors to mark Puthandu.
Later in the day, families enjoy a feast. A special dish called Mangai-pachadi is prepared from a variety of flavors, similar to pacchadi of new year foods of Ugadi and Vishu. Such traditional festive recipes, that combine different flavors, are a symbolic reminder that one must expect all flavors of experiences in the coming new year, that no event or episode is wholly sweet or bitter, experiences are transitory and ephemeral, and to make the most from them
Dress
A scrumptious feast is prepared for lunch, where people sit down together to relish a lavish spread of delicious vegetarian dishes, dressed in their best traditional clothes after having paid respects to the elders in the family.
Puthandu Vazthukal (Happy new year)
On This Auspicious Occasion, May You Be Showered With the Divine Blessings of Happiness and Prosperity. Happy Puthandu!
New Aspirations, New Hopes, New Dreams, It’s a New Beginning. May All Your Dreams Come True and Give You the Joy That You Always Wished For. Puthandu Vazthukal!
May This New Year Bring Many Opportunities Your Way, to Explore Every Joy of Life and May Your Resolutions for the Days Ahead Stay Firm, Turning All Your Dreams Into Reality and All Your Efforts Into Great Achievements.
Let This Tamil New Year, Brings a Lot of Cheer and Peace in Your Life. May the Divine Power Gives You Enough Strength for Tolerating Highs and Lows of Life With Calmness. Happy Puthandu!
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