Tamil New Year, Puthandu is celebrated today 14 April 2023. Puthandu is one of the Tamils' lucky holidays and a significant occasion for celebration in Tamil Nadu. People celebrate it with a lot of fervour and excitement. This celebration, which serves as the Tamil New Year, is specifically observed on the first day of the Tamil month Chitterai. Thus, this celebration also heralds the start of a new year.
According to the Tamil calendar, the Sankranti is observed as New Year's Day if it comes between sunrise and sunset; however, if it does so after sunset, Puthandu is observed the following day.
It should be clear by now why Puthandu is so important to Tamils. They also believe that on this day, Lord Indra came to Earth to ensure peace and tranquilly and that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe. Let's now discuss the festival's date, significance, customs, and methods of celebration.
Puthandu 2023: How Will You Celebrate? : Puthandu is celebrated with majesty and splendour by Tamils. The holiday is celebrated by Tamils all throughout the nation to welcome in the new year with their loved ones. People eagerly anticipate this day so they can spend time with their friends and relatives.
Elders offer children presents or money, and people go to temples to seek God's blessings. Additionally, they pray for their Kul Devta and Kul Devi. For the salvation of their deceased ancestors, several Tamilian families engage in religious ceremonies like Tharpanam. The day is generally observed with a spirit of thanksgiving and prayer for God's mercies. Along with mango pachadi and pongal, people also make vadai, sambhar, sadam (rice), payasam, appalam (papad), vegetable curry, fresh mango pickle and curd, among other mouthwatering foods.
Puthandu 2023: Significance: The start of Chithirai, the first month of the solar calendar, is marked by Puthandu celebrations. In Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, this day is recognised as a public holiday. On this day, new Years are observed in several states under different names. For example, West Bengal celebrates Poyla Boishakh, Kerala celebrates Vishu, Punjal celebrates Baisakhi, and Assan celebrates Bihu.
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