Starring: Surya, Prabhu, Tamanna
Director: K.V. Anand
Music Director: Harris Jeyaraj
Producer: M. Saravanan, M.S. Guhan, Aruna Guhan, Aparna Guhan
2. Nenje Nenje - Harris rahavendra - Mahathi
3. Oo Aayiye Aayiye - Benny Dayal-chinmayi
4. Pala Pala - Hariharan
5. Vizhi Moodi - Karthick
Just like Navratri—the festival of nine nights, is rejoiced simultaneously all over India, similarly, the Hindu New Year is celebrated with equal pomp and enthusiasm. The significance of Hindu New Year festival lies to the underlying fact that, it marks the departure of chilly winters and the arrival of spring. A season where nature is all in its vibrancy, with fragrant flowers, early chirping of the birds, the fresh fruits of harvest and lush greens all enveloped around.
For the Hindus, it symbolizes the dawn of another cycle and a period of a new agricultural cycle. It marks the new beginnings filled with high expectations, apprehensions, hope and joy. Hindu New Year celebrations across the country with different customs and traditions are based on the theme of new beginnings and a commencement of harvest festival. It normally celebrated from April 13 to 15 every year, depending on the calendar of different communities.
For Malayalees, Vishu marks the beginning of their New Year. It is celebrated around April-May, during the first day of Malayalam month of Medam. Malyalees offers prayers to divine ‘Vishnu Kanni’. A night before to Vishu, women decorate their puja room with auspicious puja items in a typical bell metal called uruli. This offering consists of raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, metal mirror, yellow flowers (konna) and a holy text and coins.
As a custom, as soon as they wake up, they go to the prayer room blindfolded. They open their eyes first at Vishukanni and offer prayers. Thereafter, it is celebration time, where people are dressed in kodi vastram. The elders of the family distribute tokens of money called ‘vishukkaineetam’ to the children, servants and tenants. They feast together with special items like ‘Veppampoorasam’ (a bitter preparation of neem) and ‘Mampazhapachadi’ (a sour mango soup).
For Bengalis, it is the celebration of Bengali New Year. It marks the beginning of Baisakh, the first month of Bengali calendar year. It makes the beginning of all business activities. They greet each other in Bengali ‘Shubho Nabo Barsho’.
At dawn, Bengalis take out processions known as ‘Prabhat Pheries’ During this procession, the ladies are clad in a Bengali sari, (white sari with red border), while, men wear dhoti kurta. The day is spent in feasting and participating in cultural activities. On this day, women decorate their homes with elaborate rangolis with flour. In the center, placed is the earthenware pot decorated with auspicious ’swastika’. The pot is filled with holy water and mango leaves to symbolize prosperity in the forthcoming year. They offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi.
For Kashmiri Pundits, Navreh is the lunar New Year. It falls on the bright fortnight of Chaitra. They greet other by saying ‘Navreh Mubarak’, followed by Kashmiri dishes and dances. A day prior to the festival, the Kashmiri Pandits visit the sacred spring of Vichar Nag for a holy dip to wash off all impurities. After the holy dip, they take prasad consisting of wye (round herbs) and homemade rice powder cakes.
On this day, the pandit family’s ‘Kulguru’ gives a new Kashmiri almanac known as Nechi (Nakshatra) Patri. A scroll called ‘Creel pach’ which has a photo of Goddess Sharika is also given. In the evening, the housewife of the family prepares a big “Thali”. The objects in the thali signify the prayer for food, knowledge and wealth in the coming year. On top are arranged the new almanac, rice, paddy, kreel pach, dry flowers, fresh flowers, mirror, shelled and unshelled walnut, wye herb, spouted grass, curds, pen, inkpot, cooked rice, roti, salt, gold and silver coins. This thali is covered by another plate and is kept aside till next morning. The son or daughter uncovers this lid. He or she takes the thali on his head and shows to every member of the family.
For Assamese, Rongali Bihu marks the agricultural New Year at the advent of seeding time. It falls in the first month of the Assamese calendar called Bohag. On this day, young boys and girls are attired in traditional dhoti, gamosa and saadar mekhela. They cheer and sing together folk songs in Bihu with traditional musical instruments like dhol, pépa (buffalo hornpipe) and gagana. They feast on special cake known as the pitha.
Puthandu marks the Tamil New Year’s Day. It is celebrated in the beginning of Chithirai - the first month in the Tamil Calendar year. On this day, womenfolk adorn the entrance of their house with colorful Kolam patterns. In the center, is placed a lamp called ‘kuthuvillakku’ to dispel darkness. On this day, they pray and read the Panchangam. They exchange greetings with each other by saying ‘Puthandu Vazthukal’ in their traditional jewellery and clothes. They relish ‘Maanga Pachadi’, a sweet, sour and bitter dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers to signify different aspects of life.
For Telegus and Kannads, it marks the beginning of their calendar year, which is based on the Salivahana era. This day falls on the first day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Chaitra. They begin their day with ritual showers followed by prayers. They relish a traditional “Ugadi Pachhadi’ or ‘Beva Bella’ mixture consisting of neem buds/jaggery, raw mango and tamarind juice. This symbolize that life is a mixture of pleasure and pain, which should be accepted together.
Ugadi celebrations are marked by literary discussions and recognition of authors of literary works through awards and cultural programmes. On this day, recitals of classical carnatic music and dance are held in the evenings. Special dishes like ‘pulihora’ and ‘bobbatlu’ are relished. In Karnataka, they make similar preparations called ‘Puliogure’ and ‘holige’.
For Maharashtrians, Gudi Padwa marks the auspicious beginning of the New Year. It falls on the first day ’shuddha pratipada’ of Chaitra. It is auspicious time for building or entering a new house, putting a child to school, or starting a business. On this day, Maharashtrians hang ‘Gudis’ outside the windows of their homes. They signify the victory of Marathas War fought by Chattrapati Shivaji. They are displayed to thwart off evils.
Maharashtrians welcome the New Year by worshipping Gudi. They distribute ‘Prasad’ comprising of tender neem leaves, tamarind, Ajwain, gram-pulse and jaggery. They wear new clothes and relish special Maharashtrian delicacies like soonth panak and chana usal.
For Punjabis and Sikhs, Baisakhi is perhaps one of the most vibrant and joyful festivals. It is also known as ‘Punjabi New Year’ or ‘Vaisakhi’. It falls during the first month of Punjab calendar ‘Vaisakh’, according to Nanakshahi—the Sikh Calendar. For the Sikh community, it is the birthday of their tenth Guru—Guru Gobind Singh.
For the farmers, Baisakhi is the harvest time for rabi crops. On this day, farmers thank god for the bountiful crop and pray for good times ahead. Punjabis are attired in their colorful best with salwar kameezes and colorful lungis and turbans. People make merry by singing, dancing and enjoying the best of festive food. They enjoy themselves to the fullest by dancing in a true “Bhangra’ and ‘Gidda’ step to express their joy and happiness. Cries of “Jatta aai Baisakhi” rent the skies with the beating of drums and dhols.
Punjabi delicacies like ’sarson ka saag’ and makki ki roti are savored to the fullest.
KUALA LUMPUR: Today is an auspicious day for several communities in Malaysia.
While Tamils and Malayalees usher in their new year, Sikhs celebrate Vasakhi, which marks the anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa order.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple board chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah said the Tamil new year, called Virothi, marked the beginning of the Chittirai month.
“All our temples will mark the new year with the abishegam or bathing of the deities at 6.30am followed by a special pooja,” he said.
Starting anew: Hindu devotees offering prayers on the eve of the Tamil and Malayalee new year at Court Hill Vinayagar Temple in Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur, last night.This will be followed by the reading of the almanac or panjangam immediately after at the Jalan Tun H.S. Lee and Old Pudu Road temples here. The panjangam will, however, be read at the Batu Caves temple at 8pm tonight.
Nadarajah said ponggal, or sweet rice, will be prepared for devotees. The temple board will also distribute 10,000 copies of the new Tamil calendar to those attending the ceremonies.
G. Ganesan, the secretary of the Sri Kandaswamy Temple in Lorong Scott, Brickfields, said they would pray for the well-being of the Government and nation, especially since Malaysia has a new prime minister and Cabinet.
Malayalees, meanwhile, observe Vishu, the astronomical new year day, today.
In Seremban, Malaysian Gurdwara Council president Malkith Singh said the Vasakhi celebrations at most gurdwara (Sikh places of worship) began on Sunday with the continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh holy book. The Sikhs regard the Granth Sahib as their living Guru.
“Our non-Sikh friends are more than welcome to celebrate with us. Vegetarian meals will be served, and they can learn more about our culture and traditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, in his Tamil new year message, urged the Indian community to embrace the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the MIC would lead the way in embracing the 1Malaysia concept by working with all sections of the Indian community and Indian-based non-governmental organisations.
Human Resources Minister and MIC secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, in a statement, extended his good wishes to the Tamil, Malayalee and Sikh communities.
He also urged the Indian community to wholeheartedly support the new leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
MALAYSIAN Indians whose roots can be traced to different parts of the Indian subcontinent have cause for celebration on April 14, 2009.
The largely Tamil community of Indians here, whose ancestors hail from Tamil Nadu and are of the Hindu faith, will welcome Varusha Pirappu or Puthandu, the Tamil New Year. They will be joined by the Ceylonese.
The Malayalees, with roots in Kerala state, celebrate Vishu, the Malayalee New Year, while Sikhs from the Punjab state will herald the establishment of the Khalsa through Vaisakhi (see accompanying articles).
Spick and span: Civil servant R. Amarendran, 47, (second from right) cleaning the family altar for the Tamil New Year celebrations today. Helping him are his children (from left) Hushanthani, 17, Rijina, 12, and Pavanisvaraan, eight. His wife C.Maligadavie, 47, was away at work.April 14, 2009 also marks Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, and Aluth Avurudda, the Singhalese New Year.
The Telugus, originating from the state of Andhra Pradesh, got off to an early start to the celebrations by ushering in the Telugu New Year or Ugadhi on March 27.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) president Datuk A. Vaithilingam said Puthandu is a religious celebration where the start of the new year is determined by consulting the panchangam or Hindu almanac.
“This year marks the 5,110th year of the Kaliyugha, one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as described in Hindu scriptures. It starts at 1.48am this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, MHS International Hindu Affairs chairman S.O. Paramsothi said the movement of the earth around the sun and the sun’s position on the Equator was imperative in deciding the time.
“It also denotes the first day of the Chitirai month, when, back in India, farmers do their ploughing in anticipation of a good harvest, while merchants see it as the start of the financial year,” he said.
Vaithilingam said the day before was also significant, as Hindus would obtain maruthaneer (herbal medicinal water) from temples for their hair bath the following morning.
“Temples experience large turnouts because Hindus believe in seeking blessings for the new year ahead of them. They’ll wear new clothes and eat vegetarian food for the day.
“Even if they are working, the office crowd would make it a point to visit the temple first, before going off to work,” he said, adding that the blessings of elders would also be sought.
An estimated 1.75 million people are expected to observe the Tamil New Year in Malaysia.
THE Sikh celebration of Vaisakhi or Vasakhi is unique because there are two reasons to celebrate.
Greater significance is placed on the birth of the Khalsa or the Sikh brotherhood, the collective body of Sikhs baptised by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th guru of the Sikhs, in Punjab, India, in 1699.
From that day, the Sikhs have distinguished themselves with symbols called the Five Ks – kesh (uncut hair), kangha (wooden comb), karra (steel bangle), kirpan (sword) and kachera (inner garment).
Before the Khalsa’s birth, farmers in Punjab celebrated the harvest festival, which coincided with the solar equinox. The event culminated in joyous singing (gidda) and folk dancing (bhangra).
Inner sanctum: A Sikh volunteer keeping watch over the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) at the Gurdwara Sahib in Petaling Jaya, as daily prayers are held leading up to Vaisakhi.Sikh Naujawan Sabha representative Inderjeet Singh said Vaisakhi falls in the Vasakh month of the Sikh Nanakshahi calendar.
“Events leading up to Vaisakhi at a Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh house of worship) include the continuous recitation of scriptures from the 1,430-page Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book,” he added.
Kirtan or hymns are sung during the daily prayers and free vegetarian meals, often comprising chappati and dhall, are served to all.
Kajang Gurdwara Sahib committee member Amarjit Singh said another highlight of Vaisakhi was the changing of the nishan sahib, the saffron-coloured Sikh holy flag, where the base would be washed in milk as a sign of respect.
Selected gurdwara will feature performances by raghi (Sikh religious singers) and displays of Sikh martial arts called gatka as part of the Vaisakhi celebrations.
Inderjeet said raghi touring Malaysia this year include Bikramjit Singh, hailed as the Sikh religious idol, and Sikh convert Vikram Singh, formerly known as rockstar Vic Briggs, from the United Kingdom.
Gurdwara will feature a series of other activities like health awareness camps and blood donation drives.
At the Petaling Jaya Gurdwara Sahib, Dastaar Bandhi – a coming of age ceremony for young boys – will be held at 9am today, while the Exhibition on Sikh Bravery in Military History (British Indian Army) during World War I and 2 will be held on April 19 from 10am till 4pm.
RISING before dawn to take in the beauty of the warm glow from a few lamps in front of an altar, decked with finery like money, flowers and gold, in otherwise total darkness is an experience quite unlike any other.
On April 14, 2009, Malayalees all over the world will take in this sight as they celebrate the Malayalee New Year or Vishu.
The age-old tradition, called Vishukanni, which means “that which is first seen on Vishu”, according to Wikipedia, is the beginning of all good things that will happen in the next year.
Not in front of the children: Menon and Shailaja, who is dressed in the traditional Kerala mundu, setting up the altar the night before without the knowledge of their two children.Local playwright and director J.D. Menon, 53, and his family gave StarMetro an insight in their Vishu celebrations.
Menon sets up the Kanni materials the night before without the knowledge of his two children.
“The Kanni is auspicious and decorating the altar for this purpose is much like decorating a Christmas tree, but without our children seeing the process,” he said.
He said that if the children saw the altar in all its finesse, it would not be exciting the next day.
The altar has to have several important articles to make it complete. The main things are pictures of deities, especially Lord Krishna; a medium-sized mirror; the kasava mundu (a typical Kerala sarong with gold border); rice grains; gold; money and the Konnam Poo, which is a yellow-coloured flower.
“The mirror is decorated with a garland, so that when your face reflects in it, you will have a garland around your neck. The flower signifies the colour of gold, which reflects abundance, like the rice grains,” Menon said.
The next morning, before the sun rises, Menon lights the brass lamps at the altar before waking up his family members, one by one. He takes them to the altar with his hands covering their eyes.
“I sit them down and wet their eyelids with water; they will put their hands together in prayer and open their eyes to all the good things, including the soft glow on the deities,” he added.
After saying a prayer, Menon will give his children the Vishukaineetam, which is the equivalent of the Chinese angpow. Along with the money, precious metals like gold coins are also given. The children will then fall at their parents’ feet and seek their blessings.
To Menon’s wife Shailaja, a housewife, the Kanni is a wonderful sight that brings happiness, while their daughter Shreenithya, 12, said this was the one day in the year on which she did not mind getting up early.
“It is all about starting the new year with a bright outlook; the feeling you get when you see the Kanni is indescribable,” Shailaja, 44, said.
She added with a smile that on this day, parents would insist that their children be on their best behaviour as it is believed that if they did so, they would behave for the rest of the year.
Shailaja’s duty on Vishu is to prepare the Sadhya, a banana-leaf meal with 14 to 16 typical Kerala dishes.
However, these days, with mothers working outside the home, many families opt for fewer dishes.
Nevertheless, Shailaja managed a good 12 dishes for Vishu this year.
“The must-have for Vishu is the Aviyal, which has all the vegetables in it. We serve the food to the Gods first, before partaking of it ourselves,” she added.
Each dish has its place on the leaf and Shailaja’s son Nikhil Menon, 17, helped his mother cut the banana leaves while Shreenithya served the meal.
Among the other dishes served were Sambar (with drumstick vegetable, potato and carrots), Olan, Elsheri (pumpkin), Thoran (made from snake gourd or other vegetables), Ingi Tairu (ginger with yogurt) and Tomato Pachadi (chutney).
“Before starting the meal, a little ghee is served to purify the food that we eat,” Menon said.
The Sadhya is best shared with family and friends as it is a joyous occasion to celebrate together.
Menon said the tradition was one that should be carried out so that the future generations would know and understand their own culture.
April 15, 2009 by tamilnewyear
During Tamil New Year, at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Meenakshi Amman is caped with Diamond Crown. Special Pujas and Aaradhanas is performed on the occasion of Tamil New Year. On this day, lots of thousands of people go to Temple at early morning to avail the blessings of the Lord.
Tamil Week Days - ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை (Sunday), திங்கட்கிழமை (Monday), செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை (Tuesday), புதன்கிழமை (Wednesday), வியாழக்கிழமை (Thursday), வெள்ளிக்கிழமை (Friday), சனிக்கிழமை (Saturday).
Tamil Months - சித்திரை (Chithirai), வைகாசி (Vaikasi), ஆனி (Aani), ஆடி (Aadi), ஆவணி (Aavani), புரட்டாசி (Purattasi), ஐப்பசி (Aippasi), கார்த்திகை (Karthikai), மார்கழி (Margazhi), தை (Thai), மாசி (Masi), பங்குனி (Panguni).
http://maduraimeenakshitempleforu.blogspot.com/2009/04/tamil-new-year-2009-2010-virodhi.html
Months
Chithirai(April)
Vaikaasi(May)
Aani(June)
Aadi(July)
Aavani(August)
Purattaasi(September)
Aippasi(October)
Karthikai(November)
Maargazhi(December)
Thai(January)
Maasi(February)
Panguni(March)
January 2009
01 Thursday New Year
05 Monday Guru Govind Singh Jayanti
13 Tuesday Lohri
14 Wednesday Makar Sankranti
15 Thursday Pongal
26 Monday Republic Day
26 Monday Chinese New Year
26 Monday Mauni Amavasya
31 Saturday Vasant Panchami
February 2009
14 Saturday Valentine’s Day
23 Monday Maha Shivaratri
March 2009
09 Monday Milad un Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet), Sunni
14 Saturday Milad un Nabi, Sunni
11 Wednesday Holi
11 Wednesday Hola Mohalla
21 Saturday Nau Roz
22 Sunday Mothering Sunday (UK)
26 Thursday Khordad Sal, Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra
April 2009
03 Friday Ram Navami
05 Sunday Palm Sunday
06 Monday Bikrami Samvat (Hindu New Year)
07 Tuesday Mahavir Jayanti
09 Thursday Hanuman Jayanti
09-16 Thursday Passover
10 Friday Good Friday
12 Sunday Easter (Western)
12 Sunday Palm Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
13 Monday Baisakhi
19 Sunday Easter (Orthodox)
May 2009
09 Saturday Buddha Jayanti / Buddha Purnima
10 Sunday Mother’s Day
June 2009
02 Tuesday Ganga Dussehra
15 Monday Father’s Day
16 Tuesday Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi calendar)
24 Wednesday Rath Yatra
July 2009
07 Tuesday Guru PoornimaAugust 2009
02 Sunday Friendship Day
05 Wednesday Rakhi /Raksha Bnadhan
14 Friday Sri Krishna Janmashtami
15 Saturday Independence Day
19 Wednesday Jamshedi Noruz (Zoroastrian New Year in Shenshai calendar)
22 Saturday Ramadan begins
23 Sunday Ganesh Chaturthi
September 2009
02 Wednesday Onam
05 Saturday Teachers Day
19 Saturday Navaratra begin
21 Monday E-d-ul-Fitr- Ramadan Ends
28 Monday Dussehra
October 2009
02 Friday Gandhi Jayanti
08 Thursday Karva Chauth
15 Thursday Dhan Teras
17 Saturday Diwali
18 Sunday Govardhan Puja
19 Monday Bhai Duj
31 Saturday Halloween
November 2009
02 Monday Guru Nanak Jayanti
14 Saturday Children’s Day
26 Thursday Thanksgiving Day
28 Saturday Eid-Ul-Adha
December 2009
12 Saturday Hanukkah
18 Friday Al-Hijira
25 Friday Christmas
Here are few pictures of simple Tamil New Year kolam designs. The designs are hand drawn and then scanned so the quality is poor and the photos are primarily meant to give an idea to draw different kolams.
Click on the image for a larger view.
Varsha Pirappu, the Tamil New Year day, observed in the month of Chithirai is observed or celebrated mainly by viewing ‘Kanni,’ reading or listening to Tamil Panchangam (New Year Predictions) and by eating the nevadiya neem leaf pachadi. The list of what to do on Tamil New Year day varies from region to region and from community to community.
Things Needed
To Begin
The Puja
The most important puja on the day is the Panchanga Puja. Some people also perform the Navagraha Pooja.
After the Pooja, the Panchangam is read especially the predictions for the next year. People who do not perform the Panchangam puja perform a simple puja.
Some people prefer to listen to the Panchanga padanam held in temples.
The menu for the day usually consists of food made from fresh vegetables. Green banana and jack fruit preparations are a must in many families. Sweet includes any one or two variety of payasam.
Some families perform tharpanam (remembering the dead ancestors and other rituals) on the day.
Puthandu Rituals
People of Tamil Nadu celebrate Puthandu Pirappu by following specific traditions and rituals. Early in the morning, womenfolk adorn the entrance of their house with colorful Kolam patterns. Centre of the Kolam is decorated with a lamp called kuthuvillakku in a belief that it would dispel darkness. It is also customary for people in Tamil Nadu to pay visit to temple and invoke divine blessings for the coming year.
A popular custom of Puthandu is ‘kanni’ which means the auspicious sight. Following the ritual, people start the Puthandu day by watching auspicious things like gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. This is done under the belief that a good start to New Year will ensure prosperity and happiness in the coming year. A bath and a visit to the temple usually follow Kanni. After this people read the Panchangam (almanac).
Puthandu Celebrations
To mark the occasion of Tamil New Year people wear new clothes and relish best of festive food including ‘Maanga Pachadi’, a sweet, sour and bitter dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers to signify different aspects of life. Many even get their houses painted for the occasion. People also visit friends and dear ones to exchange greetings for New Year - “Puthandu Vazthukal”. Youngsters are particularly excited about Puthandu as they receive small gifts from all their elders.
Highlight of the day is a big Car Festival held at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. Puthandu Festivals are also held at Tiruchirapalli and Kanchipuram besides many other places. At several places ‘Chitthirai Festival’ is also organized in the month of Chitthirai to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Puthandu, or better known as Tamil New Year, is the celebration of the first day of the Tamil new year traditionally in mid-April by people of Tamil origin in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in India, and by the Tamil population in Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. People greet each other on this day by saying இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் (Iniya Tamizh Puthaandu Nalvazhthukkal). This is in keeping with the Hindu solar calendar.
The Tamil New Year follows the Nirayanam vernal equinox and generally falls on April 14 of the Gregorian year. April 14th marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and this remains a public holiday in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Tropical vernal equinox fall around 22 March, and adding 23 degrees of trepidation or oscillation to it, we get the Hindu sidereal or Nirayana Mesha Sankranti (Sun’s transition into Nirayana Aries). Hence, the Tamil calendar begins with the same date which is observed by most traditional calendars of the rest of India as in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab etc not to mention Nepal, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The 60-year cycle is also ancient and is observed by most traditional calendars of India and China, and is related to 5 revolutions of Jupiter according to popular belief, or to 60-year orbit of Nakshatras (stars) as mentioned in Surya Siddhanta.
The traditional Tamil year is (from April 14, 2009), Kaliyuga 5111. Vikrama and Shalivahana Saka eras are also used. But in Tamilnadu, from the year 2009 the tamil new year was celebrated on the first day of Thai (usually January 14) by supporters of the DMK and affiliated political parties.
Tamil people celebrate Tamil new year on April 14. There are several references in early Tamil literature to the April new year. Nakkirar, the author of the Nedunalvaadai mentions in the 3rd century that the Sun travels from Mesha/Chitterai through 11 successive Raasis or signs of the Zodiac. Koodaloor Kizhaar in the 3rd century refers to Mesha Raasi/Chitterai as the commencement of the year in the Puranaanooru. The 8th century Silappadikaaram describes the 12 Raasis/zodiac signs starting with Mesha/Chitterai. The Manimekalai alludes to the Hindu solar calendar as we know it today. [1].
Every year in the month of Chitterai (the first month of the Tamil solar calendar), in the temple city of Madurai, the Chitterai Thiruvizha is celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple. A huge exhibition is also held, called Chitterai Porutkaatchi. In some parts of Southern Tamil Nadu, it is also called Chitterai Vishu. The day is marked with a feast in Tamil homes and entrances to the houses are decorated elaborately with kolams. In most parts of India, Middle-east and Africa, one can see neem trees blooming with its flowers and the first batch of mangoes hanging prominently. This day is celebrated by some communities with neem flowers and raw mangoes to symbolize growth and prosperity.
On the day of Tamil New Year, a big Car Festival is held at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. Festivals are also held at Tiruchirapalli, Kanchipuram and many other places.
Sri Lankan Tamils observe the traditional new year in April with the first financial transaction known as the ‘Kai-vishesham’ where elders gift money to the unmarried young, particularly children as a token of good luck. The event is also observed with the ‘arpudu’ or the first ploughing of the ground to prepare for the new agricultural cycle. The ‘punya-kaalam’ or auspicious time when the sun reportedly shifts from Meena raasi to Mesha raasi is considered ideal to commence new activities on a favorable note. Sri Lankan Tamils begin the year with a herbal bath with ‘maruthu-neer’ with ingredients for good health. The game of ‘por-thenkai’ or coconut wars between youth is played in villages through the Tamil north of the island while cart races are also held [2]. The Puthandu season in April is a time for family visits.