WHAT IS TAMIL/MALAYALAM NEW YEAR & WHY IT’S CELEBRATED IN APRIL
TAMIL NEW YEAR OR PUTHANDU
In Tamil Nadu, Puthandu (Puthu meaning ‘new’ + Andu meaning ‘year’) or Puthuvarusham (Puthu meaning ‘new’ and varusham meaning ‘year’) is observed as New Year. According to the Tamil solar calendar, it occurs on the first day of the month, Chithirai.
● When is Puthandu celebrated?
Every year, Puthandu falls on the 14th or 15th of April. It will be on April 14th in 2022.
● Why is the Tamil New Year celebrated on this day?
Tamil Nadu uses the Sauramana calendar, which is based on the sun. The movement of the sun is utilised as the basis for calculating the time of year in this sort of calendar. The day the sun is exactly above the equator was utilised by our forefathers to mark the beginning of a new year. The equinox used to be around April 14th in ancient times. The sun goes northwards after this day, entering the northern hemisphere. In India, we use a variety of calendars. Some, like Puthandu, are based on the Sun (Solar calendar or Sauramana calendar), while others, like Ugadi, are based on the Moon (Lunar calendar or Chandramana calendar). This time of year, when the sun is halfway across both hemispheres, has been an auspicious start to the New Year for those who follow the solar calendar. It is a moment of equilibrium — in your finances, your life, your relationships, your ambitions, and your greater self. In general, humans lived in harmony with nature.
● How is Puthandu or Tamil New Year celebrated?
Houses’ entrances are often adorned with colourful kolams (beautiful designs drawn on the ground with rice powder). A kuthuvillaku, or light, is lit in the kolam’s centre to fend off the darkness of life. The cheerful look is completed with the colourful flowers. The preparations really begin a day before Puthandu. To declutter, people tidy their homes and get rid of outdated and worthless stuff, symbolically removing unwanted influences. On a tray/plate in front of the pooja chamber, people arrange mangoes, bananas and jackfruit, raw bananas, and other seasonal vegetables, as well as rice, betel leaves, areca nuts, money — gold and silver jewellery and coins, flowers, and a mirror (prayer room).
● Significance
This collection of objects on a tray or dish is said to be lucky. When you wake up on New Year’s Day, the first thing you will see is this. Mangoes and jackfruits are seasonal fruits that symbolise health, while rice stands for food, money for riches and prosperity, and jewellery for beauty and decoration. To demonstrate thanks for their blessings and assistance, the elders in the home are given betel leaves. The mirror’s purpose is to reflect and increase all of life’s positive aspects. Essentially, it is a symbolic gift that honours our agrarian civilization while also welcoming all of the elements that contribute to a healthy, happy, full, and rich life. Children receive presents on this day.
● Special food
The Varusha Pirappu mangai pachadi is the most prominent meal prepared on Puthandu. Cut/sliced raw mango (sour), bits of jaggery (sweet), neem leaves (bitter), tamarind (tangy), and red chilies are used to make this pachadi (spicy). Essentially, it’s to usher in a new year that should ideally be full of all of life’s flavours. As a result, you live a full and well-rounded life.
MALAYALAM NEW YEAR OR VISHU
One of the most well-known South Indian festivals is Vishu. It is commonly observed throughout Kerala, as well as in areas of Tamil Nadu. In the Sanskrit language, the phrase ‘Vishu’ means ‘Equal.’ It is the New Year for residents of Kerala. It is also known as Malayalam New Year since the inhabitants of this region speak Malayalam. Vishu is said to represent one of the equinox days. The first day of the first month Medam (March-April) of the New Year is celebrated as Vishu in the traditional Malayalam calendar. Vishu is celebrated on April 14th in the Gregorian calendar. Vishu is also known as “South Indian Baisakhi, Bihu, or Puthandu.” This is because comparable dates, like New Year, are celebrated in various regions of India, although in a different way but with the same objective. Vishu is more of an astrologically favourable event than a religious one.
● Traditions, Events and Activities
Apart from a few areas, the majority of Kerala’s traditions, festivals, and activities are similar in character.
● Vishukkani or Kanikanal
Vishukkani is a Malayalam word that literally means “the first object to be seen after waking up on Vishu morning.” The Vishukkani is based on the notion that the type of the first thing seen in the morning of Vishu Day determines one’s fortune for the future year. As a result, the first impression should be the most favourable. The arrangement is meticulously crafted to provide the greatest pleasant visual impact in order to usher in a successful new year. If you do not see a proper Vishukkani, according to certain beliefs, you will lose a year from your life or have bad luck, based on how much you see. With this in mind, the sight transforms into a Vishukkani (religious arrangement) of auspicious items such as raw rice, fresh lemon, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow blossoms konna (Cassia fistula), holy scripture, and monies. All of these objects are placed in the House’s puja room (prayer chamber) in a vessel called ‘Uruli.’
● The night preceding Vishu and the day of Vishu
The family’s eldest woman (grandmother, mother, or eldest sister) keeps watch on the eve of Vishu. She sleeps close to the Kani and keeps the matchbox close by. She wakes up with her eyes closed and prays while she ignites the lamps. Then she opens her eyes to witness the scene in front of her, which includes the vision of Lord Krishna as Balagopala (krishna as kid). Then she wakes up the rest of the family one by one and leads them to the Pooja Room to see the Kani.
● Reading the Holy Book
After witnessing the vishukkani, it is considered auspicious to recite poems from the Ramayanam (Hindu sacred book). The page that is opened, according to tradition, will have an impact on one’s life in the next year.
● Vishukkaineettam
The practise of delivering riches in the form of coins to individuals (mainly young family members) on vishu is known as vishukkaineettam. The Kaineetam is made up of coins (mainly notes) with Konna flowers, rice, and Uruli gold. After touching the Uruli’s eyes with a flower, the gold and grains are restored to them. This act, according to legend, bestows future fortune to the distributors’ offspring. It is intended to be freely provided and reverently accepted.
● Dishes
Vishu is also a day of feasting, with about equal amounts of salty, sweet, sour, and bitter foods on the menu. Veppampoorasam (a bitter neem preparation), Mampazhapachadi (a sour mango soup), and Kanji are among the dishes served at the feast.
We wish you a very Happy Tamil New Year and Vishu!
