| Puthandu, populary known as Varsha pirappu, is the | | | | early ritual bath, the whole family prays together. The |
| New Year's Day for the people of Tamil Nadu in | | | | children take the blessings of their parents. |
| Southern India. It marks the beginning of the Dravidian | | | | A special dish called 'Maanga Pachadi', made of raw |
| New Year in Tamil Nadu. This festival is held on the | | | | mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers is served during |
| first day of Tamil month Chithiram, which usually falls | | | | lunch. This signifies all the different aspects of our life, |
| on the 14th of April. It is believed that Lord Brahma, (the | | | | reminding us to face happiness and sorrow with equal |
| God of creation, according to Hindu mythology) began | | | | ease . Since this festival marks the beginning of the |
| creating the world on this day. This festival is | | | | New Year, food prepared is very special, with |
| celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm all | | | | particular emphasis on pulses and cereals. |
| over Tamil Nadu. | | | | The family together enjoys the special lunch. The rest |
| On the occasion of Tamil New Year day, Hindus | | | | of the day is spent visiting various relatives, friends and |
| believe that offering special prayers in the temple | | | | exchanging New Year greetings. Gifts are also given |
| brings them prosperity. It is also the day to give an | | | | to domestic workers and others. |
| auspicious start to the coming year by looking at all | | | | A large number of devotees wait in queues from |
| nice and wonderful things such as gold, fresh fruits, | | | | dawn at temples especially temples such as |
| vegetables, rice, betel leaves, nuts and coconuts, which | | | | Meenakshi temple in Madurai, Manakkula Vinayagar |
| are kept in a decorated pile in front of the garlanded | | | | Temple in Puducherry etc. to have a darshan. |
| diety. The focus is on prosperity throughout the year, | | | | On this auspicious day, a grand Car Festival is held at |
| and a prayer of thanks to the gods. | | | | Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam. Festivals are |
| Varsha pirappu begins with viewing the Kani of the | | | | also held at Tiruchirapalli, Kanchipuram and many other |
| auspicious things. Early in the morning on Tamil New | | | | places. Several fairs and cultural programs are also |
| Year's day, the entrance of the house is decorated | | | | organised at different places all over the state, to mark |
| with Kolam (Rangoli), a design made with rice flour. | | | | the occasion. |
| The doorways are decorated with mango leaves to | | | | On the same day, New Year is celebrated in some |
| mark the auspiciousness of the occasion. After an | | | | other parts of India, too. |