Puth?a?du v?azhthugal is a Tamil word where Puthu means New and Andu means Year. The word is used to celebrate Tamil New Year, which happens in Chithirai or in April.
This is the word Tamilians greet each other with. This is the word they use to say, “Happy New Year!”
Puthāaṇdu vāazhthugal is a Tamil word where Puthu means New and Andu means Year. The word is used to celebrate Tamil New Year, which happens in Chithirai or in April.
Every year, the day is celebrated on April 14th, and the same celebration applies this year in 2022.
New Year Celebration at Different Places
The same day is celebrated in other states of India as well. For example, Keralites commemorate the day as Vishu, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In Bengal and Assam, it is Bihu. In North, the day is called Baisakhi.
Not just in India, but Tamil New Year is also celebrated in Sri Lanka. Here they call it Sinhala New Year. Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, and Azerbaijan are also the countries to celebrate this day as their New Year.
Puthandu and Ugadi Celebration
In Tamil Nadu, their calendar is known as Sauramana, which depicts the movement of the Sun. Year the festivities are determined according to the direction of the Sun. The practice is derived from the ancestors who used the Sun as an indicator of the New Year.
The Equator is the line that divides the Earth into two halves. This day is called equinox, which in ancient times used to be on April 14th. Once April 14th completes, the Sun changes its course and enters the Northern hemisphere.
Ugadi happens on a different day because the Chandramana or the lunar calendar determines it. In India, there are many calendars used in different states.
The Solar calendar is the Sauramana calendar and the Lunar calendar Chandramana. Then there is a calendar depicting the movement of both Sun and Moon and known as the Luni-solar calendar. There is also a calendar called Jovian, which is based on the movement of Jupiter.
The Significant Point of Sun
The ancestors who followed the movements of the Sun made a significant point. This way, the point when the Sun was midway across both hemispheres. They considered this point as New Year, which they considered a point of balance of life, goals, a higher self, and more.
Considering the day became a practice and followed generation after generation.
Celebration Procedure of Tamil New Year
The celebration of this beautiful day begins with decorating the home. People draw kolam or rangoli at their entrance and in the house. These are beautiful designs made using rice powder. They also place a lamp in the center of the kolam at the entrance. This wards off any evil power and balances harmony and peace in the household. They also decorate the home with colorful flowers, which invite a festive vibe.
The actual preparations begin one day before the New Year. First, people clean their homes and throw away useless materials to keep the interiors clean. This decluttering process eliminates space for any negativity and increases positivity.
On the New Year, people decorate the home and place some fruits and other items in a tray. They place fruits such as mango, banana, jackfruit with vegetables. They also place rice, betel leaves, nuts, coins, jewelry, and flowers. These items are decorated in a tray and taken to the Puja room.
The Significance of Preparing the Tray
The tray, prepared using many fruits, veggies, and other assortments, is considered auspicious. It is fortunate to see the tray when you first wake up in the morning. This plate is decorated for New Year’s day, so when the household members wake up, they start their morning by seeing this tray as a first thing.
Fruits such as mangoes and jackfruits represent health. Rice is for nourishment, and money represents wealth. The betel leaves are used to express respect toward elders. The mirror is also placed in the tray, representing the reflection of all these good things and multiplying them.
This way, the tray becomes an auspicious symbol that depicts the good health and wellbeing of the family members. Seeing the platter is believed to fulfill the household with all suitable properties.
Children also receive gifts from their parents and elders on this new Year day. Everyone remains excited and looks forward to the celebration and mouthwatering delicacies.
Food Items on Tamil New Year
Varusha Pirappu mangai pachadi is the most important food item prepared on Tamil New Year. The pachadi is made of raw mango (sour), pieces of jaggery (sweet), neem leaves (bitter), tamarind (tangy), and red chilies (spicy).
This is an essential recipe for the festival since it represents all the tastes such as sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy. These tastes represent life as life also gives us moments of different flavors. Enjoying the pachadi teaches us that we should also celebrate all the tastes of life and earn experience from them.
There are other delicacies too that are made on this day:
Medhu/Ulandhu Vadai (made of urad dal)
Payasam
Poli
(sweet rotis)
Sakkarai
Pongal (sweet Pongal)
Kosambari
(moong dal salad)
Avial
(Mixed vegetable stew)
Poosanikai
Kootu (Pumpkin stew)
Vazhakkai
curry (Raw banana curry)
Cabbage
poriyal (sautéed cabbage fry)
Vepamboo
rasam (Neem flower rasam)
Aplam
(thin, crisp flatbread)
Manga
Urgai (Freshly-made mango pickle)
Neer
mor (spicy buttermilk)
Panagam
(jaggery water with cardamom powder)
Curd
