What is Tamil new year ?
Tamil new year, called as ‘Puthandu’ in Tamil is celebrated as the new year by the people of Tamil Nadu. There are twelve months in Tamil calendar starting from Chithirai. The first day of Chithirai marks the beginning of new year. Usually this will fall in the mid of April month.
Why should we celebrate Tamil New Year ?
Indian calendar is classified into Chandramana and Suryamana (Lunar and Solar calendar). People of Tamil Nadu follows the Indian Solar Calendar. The beginning of Indian Solar Calendar is considered as the beginning of a new year in Tamil Nadu. Mesha Rasi(Aries) is the first of twelve Rasi. As the Sun enters the Mesha Rasi, it is considered as the beginning of new year. It is also the beginning of ‘Ila venil kaalam’ (The offset of Spring) in Tamil Nadu. There are lot of evidences in many of the ancient Tamil literatures (Tholkaapiyam, Purananooru, Silapadhigaram etc..) says that Chithirai first day is celebrated as the Tamil new year.
In 2016, Tamil new year falls on April 14th, Thursday thus marking the beginning of a new year, Dhurmukhi year.
How to Celebrate ?
One has to wake up early on the new year day and take oil bath.
Thoroughly clean the entire house.
Decorate the entrance of the house with fresh Mango leaves.
Decorate the entrance of the house with a colorful Kolam (Rangoli).
Light the Kuthuvilakku in your house.
Wear new clothes and perform usual Pooja.
Visit a near by temple with your family.
April 14th 2016 is celebrated as New Year in many of the other Indian States with different names. ‘Rongali Bihu’ is celebrated in Assam, ‘Vishu’ in Kerala, ‘Maha Vishwa Sankaranthi’ in Odisha, ‘Vaishakh’ in Punjab, ‘Poila Boishakh’ in Bengal.
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