Tamil New Year Celebration

Before Puthandu

While the Tamil New Year might be celebrated roughly on the 14th of April each year, preparations marking the arrival of the auspicious festival begin well in advance. Two of the most crucial elements of traditional Tamil New Year celebration are, thorough cleaning and decoration of the house, coupled with making food arrangements according to the principle of Arusuvai.

Tamil New Year Home Decoration

The day before the Puthandu festival is spent by most celebrants on cleaning the house in anticipation of a new beginning. Every surface and corner in the house is cleaned and dusted, and the overall space tidied according to festival standards. This thorough home cleaning on the eve of Tamil New Year is practised by Tamilians in accordance with the belief of discarding all old negativity in order to make space for something new. In addition to cleaning their house, Tamilians also participate in festival home decoration, including adorning the doorway with strings of mango leaves, and creating intricate Kolam (rangoli) designs with rice flour, at the threshold of the house.

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Tamil New Year & Ritual Of Kanni

A pivotal custom in Tamil New Year celebration is the ritual of Kanni, which translates to "auspicious sight" in Tamil. Kanni is performed with the belief that it will bring happiness and prosperity in the new upcoming year, and involves the arrangement of a tray laden with three fruits (mango, banana, jackfruit), betel leaves, areca nuts, gold/silver jewellery, money and flowers, in order to appease Goddess Laxmi. As a part of the festival, Tamilians put up a big mirror in their Puja room and place the tray in front of it. This tray is arranged on the eve of Puthandu, and as the name suggests, needs to be looked at first thing on the morning of Tamil New Year day.

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On The Day Of Puthandu

Tamil New Year Customs

On the day of the Puthandu festival, Tamilians wake up early in the morning, and take a head-to-toe cleansing bath as a way of beginning the celebrations. A number of Tamilians also choose the festival day to indulge in a herbal bath such as one with Turmeric, although most modern members stick to a regular bath.

While it isn't a mandate, most Tamilian families don new clothes on the day of Puthandu festival. Just like the morning cleansing bath, wearing brand new apparel is a way to mark a new beginning. Thus, needless to say, the last few days of the year witness crowds of enthusiastic Tamilians flogging to stores, and shopping for clothes.

On the morning of the Puthandu festival, members of the family gather together to pray and give their offerings to their idols. The prayers include different aspects such as Aarathi and Saambrani, along with chanting, singing divine songs and ringing brass bells. Many Tamilians also visit temples to pray and convey their devotion on Tamil New Year.

The younger members and children of the family receive presents or money from the elders on the day of Puthandu. The Panchagam, a Hindu calendar and almanac, is read out loud by either the head priest or the eldest family member.

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All You Should Know About Puthandu (Tamil New Year)