Saturday, April 12, 2008

Happy Tamil New Year


The month of Chittrai embarks the time of our new year. Tamil New Year " Puthandu " is celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year (according to the Gregorian Calender). People greet each other "Puthandu Vazthukal" which means Happy New Year. This auspicious day is also popular as Varusha Pirappu.

As per the Hindu mythical legends, Lord Brahma started creation of the universe on this day. New Year's day is a gala time for all Indians. The main focus is on the food eaten on the day. 'Maanga Pachadi' is the pulse of the festival. It is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery, neem flowers which tastes sweet, salt, sour and bitter (one of my favourite dish). This entails different colors of life. It depicts that life has to face everything from success to defeat. It is also said on this day, Goddess Meenakshi got married to Lord Sundareswarar.

Indians follow some strict rituals in a belief to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view 'Kanni' at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. People start the day by watching some auspicious items like gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts.

Following the rituals, Indians take bath using a specially prepared medicament (Marutthu Neer) prepared by using various flowers, leaves, aruhampul, turmeric, milk and others. This is to reduce any negative effects that would be caused by any unfavourable planets during the advent of the New Year. After this, Panchangam (almanac) is read. Ladies adorn their houses with fresh mango leaves and Kolam (rangoli) designs. Sometimes, a decorated lamp kuthuvillakku is placed in the center of colorful Kolam to bring light to the house. People in the advent of merry making and feasting exchange gifts with each other. And this year is special as it falls on a Sunday. I will be celebrating it with my family members.


Wishing all Indian bloggers and friends,


Unggalukkum Unggal Kudumbatharkum ...
Enathu Iniya Tamil Putthandu Nalvaalthukkal

2 comments:

பிரியமுடன்... said...

புதுவருடம்
புதியாய் பிறந்துள்ளது!
தமிழுக்கு இன்றுமுதல் ஒரு வயதுகூடுகிறது! ஒவ்வொரு வயதும் கூடும்போது, அதன் வலிமையும், இனிமையும் வலுவடைக்கிறது என்றுதான் அர்த்தம்!

இந்த தமிழ் வருடப்பிறப்புக்கு இங்கே ஒரு தமிழ்மகள் நல்ல வடிவமும் அக்கீகரமும், அழகும் சேர்த்துள்ளார்! எங்கள் குடும்பமும் உங்களுக்கும் உங்கள் குடும்பத்திற்கும் மற்றும் நம் தமிழ் இனத்திற்கும் இந்த நேரத்தில் தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்களை தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறது! என் இனிய பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள் தமிழே.....

whAt A LiFe said...

Sorry for the late reply, tks for kind wishes