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Tamil New Year, known as Puthandu, initiates the Chithirai month, marking the inception of the Tamil calendar. It symbolizes an auspicious moment to celebrate the commencement of a fresh year filled with new opportunities. To embrace this auspicious occasion, indulge in various activities both on the eve of Puthandu and on the day itself, welcoming the promising new beginnings it brings.
Guidelines
Preparing for Puthandu Eve
Embark on a home cleansing ritual the night before Puthandu. The Tamil New Year embodies the hope for fresh starts in the upcoming year. Embrace this spirit by commencing your festivities with a thorough cleaning of your home, preparing it for the new year ahead. Decorate your doorways elaborately with kolams (rice flour designs) and adorn them with mango leaves.
- While some prefer to undertake this cleaning ritual on Puthandu itself, performing it the day before allows for more time to feast and engage in worship on the first day of the new year.
Prepare a Variety of Flavorsome Foods. While food preparation occurs on Puthandu day, it's essential to gather your ingredients beforehand. Embrace the concept of arusuvai, encompassing the six distinct tastes of Tamil cuisine: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, spicy (also known as 'kaaram'), and the unique flavor known as 'thuvarpu.' 'Thuvarpu' reflects the taste of common post-meal items such as betel nut and Indian gooseberry.
- Additionally, start preparing festival delicacies like vadai
, payasam, etc. Don't forget 'Pacchadi,' a yogurt-based dish typically featuring mango, which is a staple for Puthandu celebrations.
- Include mukkani, a trio of fruits—mango, jackfruit, and banana—considered the most delectable. These fruits often grace Puthandu feasts.
Adorn Your Home Entrance with Kolams. Utilize rice flour or chalk to craft intricate kolam designs at your doorstep. Enhance the festive ambiance by placing a kuthu vilakku lamp in the center of the kolam, illuminating the surroundings and adding to the celebration.
- Opt for vibrant rice flour or chalk colors when designing kolams. The choice of hues is entirely yours.
Marking the New Year's First Day
Indulge in a Purifying Bath on Puthandu. Ensure a thorough head-to-toe cleanse, symbolizing the renewal of the new year. The bathing ritual holds significant importance in embracing fresh beginnings.
- Many opt for herbal baths on this auspicious day, although a regular bath suffices. Turmeric baths, often favored by women, extend the purifying tradition to all.
Consider New Attire for the Festival (Optional). While not obligatory, some families opt for new clothing to mark the festival. Donning freshly acquired attire echoes the anticipation of new beginnings heralded by the new year. Embark on a shopping spree before Puthandu, reserving your new garments for the occasion.
- While some may prefer traditional attire over brand new clothes, the prevalent belief leans towards wearing new attire on Puthandu.
Offer Prayers and Homage to the Deities. Begin your morning on the auspicious first day of the new year by offering prayers and homage to your deities following your cleansing bath. Offerings may comprise fruits, sweets, and embellishments like garlands for the idols.
- Families unite for collective prayers, incorporating ceremonial fire elements: lamps, 'aarathi,' lighting of 'saambrani,' and incense sticks. Chants, brass bell tolls, devotional songs, and classical musical renditions often accompany these prayers.
- In Sri Lanka and certain parts of India, Pongal, a traditional rice dish, is a customary offering to the gods during Puthandu.
Seek Blessings at Temples and Visit Friends. Following your ablutions and homage to deities, proceed to a nearby temple to seek blessings for a year of growth and prosperity. Utilize this opportunity to also visit friends and family, celebrating the onset of the new year together.
- Temple visits often involve coconut breaking, symbolizing the removal of obstacles and the desire for a smooth journey ahead. Brahman Bhoj is a common ritual where priests read the “Panchangam” to invoke divine blessings.
- During family and friend gatherings, exchange small delicacies and sweets as part of the Puthandu tradition, sometimes observed primarily among children but also embraced by adults.
Engage in Panchangam Readings by Senior Family Members. Embrace the tradition of Puthandu by gathering your family members to listen to the eldest read from the Panchangam, a Hindu calendar and almanac detailing significant dates and calculations for the forthcoming year.
Participate in a Vegetarian Banquet. Conclude your Tamil New Year celebrations with a grand feast shared among loved ones. The centerpiece of this banquet is Mangai-pachadi, symbolizing life's diverse phases.
- Ensure your feast consists solely of vegetarian fare on Puthandu. Delicacies such as sweet dhal poli and veppam poo rasam can enhance the culinary experience.
