According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar’s solar cycle, Puthandu is the first day of the traditional Tamil New Year. It is generally celebrated on April 13/14/15. Interestingly, many other Indian communities celebrate their traditional new year around the same time by different names. It is called Vishu in Kerala, Bihu in Assam, Baishakhi in Punjab and Poila Boishakh in West Bengal.
Puthandu is the first day of the Tamil Month of Chithirai
and hence, in some parts of Tamil Nadu, the festival is also called ‘Chittirai
Vishu’. On the eve of this day, a tray is
arranged with mangoes, bananas and jackfruit, along with betel leaves,
arecanut, gold/silver jewelry, cash and a mirror and placed in front of the home
shrine. Sighting this tray first thing
in the morning is said to be auspicious.
The day is marked by a visit to the temple with a tray of fruits, flowers
and other auspicious items. Home
entrances are decorated with elaborate "kolams" of coloured rice
powder. Later in the day, the family
enjoys an elaborate vegetarian feast which includes "mangai pachadi"
similar to the Ugadi
pachadi. Its ingredients include raw
mango (sour), neem leaves (bitter), mustard (astringent), jaggery (sweet), red
chilies (pungent/spicy). The recipe is a
reminder that the New Year will neither be a wholly sweet nor a wholly bitter
experience and that all experiences are transient, ephemeral.
This day is also celebrated as New Year in Sri Lanka and
Mauritius.
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