Tamil New Year or Puthandu Festivals - तमिल नववर्ष
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Place: Tamil Nadu
Fest of Month: April 14th
Significance: Tamil New year/ Harvest Festival
'Puthandu' popularly known as 'Varusha Pirappu', marks the beginning of the Dravidian New Year in the State of Tamil Nadu. The focus is on prosperity throughout the year, and a prayer of thanks to the gods.
The Tamil New Year which usually falls on April 14th is an occasion that calls for celebration for Tamilians all over the world. This is supposedly the day when Lord Brahma (the Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation. People exchange greetings of "Puthandu Vazthukal: (Happy New Year) with great fervor on this day.
The Tamil New Year day begins with viewing the 'kanni' (the auspicious sight) at dawn, out of the expectation that starting the New Year by looking at auspicious things will bring good luck all through the year. The auspicious things include gold and silver jewelry, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. Thereafter, people take a ritual bath followed by visiting the temple to pray for a happy and prosperous New Year. After this, the Panchangam (almanac) is read.
During the Tamil New Year celebrations, women decorate the entrance to their houses with 'kolam' (design made with rice flower), and adorn the doorway with mango leaves. Every year on Tamil New Year, a grand car festival is held at Tiruvadaimarudhur near Kumbakonam. The month of Chithirai also witnesses the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswara, which is celebrated as Chithirai Festival.
Here it is believed that Lord Brahma, the God of creation, began creating the world on this day. Tamilians herald the new year with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. They dress up in new clothes, feast, exchange greetings and offer prayers at temples. It is the day to give an auspicious start to the coming year by looking at all things nice and wonderful - fresh fruits, vegetables, clean rice and coconuts are kept in a decorated pile in front of the gods. The day is also associated with the harvest festival celebrated in many other parts of the country.
Hordes of devotees throng temples across Tamil Nadu to propitiate Hindu deities on the occasion of Tamil New Year as Hindus believe that offering special prayers on the occasion brings them prosperity. Endless queues of devotees wait from dawn at temples especially temples such as Meenakshi temple in Madurai, Manakkula Vinayagar Temple in Pondicherry etc. Cultural processions are held at various places with variety of dances and traditional arts. Fireworks and live music shows are also organised to mark the occasion.
Fest of Month: April 14th
Significance: Tamil New year/ Harvest Festival
'Puthandu' popularly known as 'Varusha Pirappu', marks the beginning of the Dravidian New Year in the State of Tamil Nadu. The focus is on prosperity throughout the year, and a prayer of thanks to the gods.
The Tamil New Year which usually falls on April 14th is an occasion that calls for celebration for Tamilians all over the world. This is supposedly the day when Lord Brahma (the Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation. People exchange greetings of "Puthandu Vazthukal: (Happy New Year) with great fervor on this day.
The Tamil New Year day begins with viewing the 'kanni' (the auspicious sight) at dawn, out of the expectation that starting the New Year by looking at auspicious things will bring good luck all through the year. The auspicious things include gold and silver jewelry, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. Thereafter, people take a ritual bath followed by visiting the temple to pray for a happy and prosperous New Year. After this, the Panchangam (almanac) is read.
During the Tamil New Year celebrations, women decorate the entrance to their houses with 'kolam' (design made with rice flower), and adorn the doorway with mango leaves. Every year on Tamil New Year, a grand car festival is held at Tiruvadaimarudhur near Kumbakonam. The month of Chithirai also witnesses the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswara, which is celebrated as Chithirai Festival.
Here it is believed that Lord Brahma, the God of creation, began creating the world on this day. Tamilians herald the new year with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. They dress up in new clothes, feast, exchange greetings and offer prayers at temples. It is the day to give an auspicious start to the coming year by looking at all things nice and wonderful - fresh fruits, vegetables, clean rice and coconuts are kept in a decorated pile in front of the gods. The day is also associated with the harvest festival celebrated in many other parts of the country.
Hordes of devotees throng temples across Tamil Nadu to propitiate Hindu deities on the occasion of Tamil New Year as Hindus believe that offering special prayers on the occasion brings them prosperity. Endless queues of devotees wait from dawn at temples especially temples such as Meenakshi temple in Madurai, Manakkula Vinayagar Temple in Pondicherry etc. Cultural processions are held at various places with variety of dances and traditional arts. Fireworks and live music shows are also organised to mark the occasion.