Inks of Everything

Hey Everyone! இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் (Iniya Tamizh Puthaandu Nalvazhthukkal)!!!

Tamil Puthandu (தமிழ்ப் புத்தாண்டு) marks the start of the Tamil New Year as per the traditional Tamil calendar. It is also called Varudapirappu, Varushapirappu, pudhuvarudam, etc. Tamil New Year is one of the significant festivals in Tamilnadu and it falls on the first day of the Tamil Month Chithirai (சித்திரை). Tamil Puthandu 2025 is occuring on a Monday and as usual, it is the 14th of April. In this blog, you will find everything that you want to know about Tamil Puthandu – from rituals to foods and more.  

Tamil Calendar Months – தமிழ் நாட்காட்டியின் மாதங்கள் 

• சித்திரை (Chithirai) 
• வைகாசி (Vaikasi) 
• ஆனி (Aani) 
• ஆடி (Aadi) 
• ஆவணி (Aavani) 
• புரட்டாசி (Purattasi) 
• ஐப்பசி (Aippasi) 
• கார்த்திகை (Karthigai) 
• மார்கழி (Margazhi) 
• தை (Thai) 
• மாசி (Maasi) 
• பங்குனி (Panguni) 

This celebration of the new year in Tamilnadu is marked by the collaboration of culture, heritage, togetherness, authentic foods, and spiritual renewal, filled with customs. Having been celebrated by the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and other parts of the world, the excitement around Tamil Puthandu is surreal.

Significance of Tamil Puthandu (Tamil New Year) 

History says that from the roots of Ancient Tamilnadu, Puthandu began during the Chola dynasty (from the 9th century), which officially formalized the Tamil calendar.  

Tamil New Year has both spiritual and cultural significance over the years. According to Hindu Mythology, people believe that Lord Brahma, the creator, created the world on this auspicious day. Also, many believe that Lord Indra Devar (God of weather and king of Devas) came down to Earth to bless its beings with prosperity and joy.  

For Tamilians, Tamil Puthandu means new beginnings to prosperity, growth, and success. It’s a day when people reflect on their past and prepare for the year ahead with gratitude and new hopes for opportunities. Also, on this day, families get together for food, joy, and cultural activities. In many offices and localities, people play traditional Tamil games and enjoy their day. 

Astronomical Significance  – Tamil New Year 2025 celebration

April 14, 2025, is a significant day as it aligns with the transition of the sun into Mesham (Aries), a moment of celestial balance according to Tamil astrology. Tamil calendar names every year based on Shasti Samvatsara cycle (or) 60-year cycle. Each name is the symbolization of prosperity, growth, strength, blessings, or challenges according to the various aspects of Hindu astrology. After 60 years, the names repeat. 2025’s Tamil year is named சோபகிருது (Sobhakritu / Sobakiruthu) which means the year of auspicious deeds/positive actions.   

Rituals and Traditions of Tamil New Year  – Tamil traditions

Tamilians celebrate Puthandu like a festival with religious rituals and customs of high significance. Some of the common and most-followed rituals are 

1. Kanni (The sight of auspiciousness) 

Every festival starts with prayers and on Puthandu morning, people present a plate of auspicious items like flowers, kumkum, turmeric, mirrors, jewelry, betel leaves, and nuts and light the lamp. They recite prayers asking God to accept their presents. This ritual is called Kanni and is followed to bring joy, success, prosperity, and good health for the year ahead.  

2. Oil bath 

Oil bath is the regular ritual that is followed to cleanse yourself and get prepped for the new beginning. During this ritual, people will soak their hair in oil and take a head bath symbolizing purification. Men wear traditional dhotis and women wear sarees or paavadai sattai for the prayers.  

3. Traditional Temple Visits  

New beginnings are incomplete without visiting the temple to seek God’s blessing. Tamilians visit their nearby or favourite temples and get prasadam which they enjoy eating after the prayers. 

4. Home Decoration 

Before the Puthandu celebration, the house is completely cleaned and a colorful kolam is drawn on the front entrance with rice flour. These kolams are welcoming and intend to bring positive energy for the day.  

The delicious foods of Tamil Nadu – Tamil Puthandu dishes for an awesome day

Food means happiness and on a New Year’s Day, it makes the tummy happy. Yes, in all the houses, women make a feast of flavourful dishes including sweets, savories, and meals. A few of the homemade dishes during Tamil New Year are 

1. Maanga Pachadi (Raw Mango Chutney) 

Most homes make this quintessential dish ‘Maanga Pachadi’ (a dish made with raw mango, jaggery, salt, spices, and neem leaves) for Puthandu. It indirectly means that there is a mix of different tastes signifying the different flavors of life.  

2. Paruppu Vadai / Ulundhu Vadai  

Paruppu Vadai/Ulundhu vadai are crispy fritters made from a mixture of soaked lentils/Urad dal, onion, spices, green chilies, ginger, salt, and curry leaves. The crunch is heavenly and your hands go for the second bite without even thinking.  

3. Arachu vitta Rasam (Wedding Rasam) 

A traditional soup is made with tamarind, spices, dal, tomato, and lots of coriander leaves. This is not just a yearly dish but a regular soup that Tamil homes have during lunch and aids in good digestion. 

4. Payasam (Sweet Pudding) 

No Tamil festival celebration ends without Payasam. Many make javvarisi(sago) or semiya(vermicelli) payasam with milk, ghee, nuts, and dry fruits. Just the aroma is enough to flatter you and fall in love with the dish immediately.   

Apart from this, people make and devour adhirasam, murukku, gulab jamun, and other sweets and savories of Tamil Nadu. The lunch is typically a banana leaf meal with sambar, rasam, curd, pickle, vegetable fry dry or gravy (kootu/aviyal/poriyal), and crackly appalam. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Tamil Puthandu 2025  

1. What is Tamil New Year called?  

Tamil New Year (1st day of the Chithirai maasam) is called by the name Puthandu or Tamil Puthandu or Tamil Varuda Pirappu.  

2. What are the traditions, or the key customs associated with Tamil New Year/Tamil Puthandu?  

Some of the important customs are taking an oil bath, wearing traditional clothing, Kanni(the presentation), visiting temples, and preparing and enjoying delicious Tamil foods.  

3. In 2025, When is Tamil New Year celebrated?  

Not just in 2025, but every year, Tamil New Year is holistically celebrated on the 14th of April.

4. What is the significance of Tamil Puthandu in the culture of Tamilnadu?  

Tamil Puthandu signifies new beginnings. People celebrate the Tamil New Year with new hopes for incredible opportunities and successes ahead.   

5. What are the different ways by which Tamil Puthandu is celebrated?

In Tamil Nadu, the traditional festival of Tamil Puthandu is celebrated with get-together celebration, good food, temple visits, and regular prayers and rituals. People also clean up their homes and celebrations include temple visits, feasts, traditional rituals, and family gatherings. People prepare special dishes, clean their homes, and welcome the new year with kolams that are believed to offer positive energy.  

6. Are there any unique dishes or special foods devoured for Tamil New Year?  

Yes, there are a lot of flavourful and rich delicacies. And that includes payasam, rasam, sambar, Manga Pachadi, Paruppu Vadai, Ulundu vadai, and more.   

7. Why is Tamil New Year celebrated on April 14?  

Every first day of the Tamil month(chithirai) of the தமிழ் நாட்காட்டி falls on April 14. This also corresponds to the transition of the sun into Aries (Mesham), marking the beginning of the Tamil astrological year.   

8. What does ‘Kanni’ signifying Tamil Puthandu?  

Kanni refers to the authentic sight ritual of presenting god with all the auspicious items and praying to god for blessing with good fortune, prosperity, and happiness in the upcoming year.  

9. Can non-Tamils also celebrate the Tamil New Year?  

Yes, the celebration is common for all the Tamil people, and religion, caste, or creed doesn’t restrict them from celebrating this cultural festival.  

10. What is the role of astrology in Tamil Puthandu?  

Astrology plays a pivotal role as the Panchangam and the sun’s transition are all associated with the astrological Tamil calendar. It is with panchangam that the people fix auspicious timings for the new ventures or celebrations in line with celestial bodies for the year ahead.