Tamil New Year, celebrated as Puthuvarusham and Puthandu, is the auspicious inaugural day of the Tamil calendar, observed akin to a grand festival. According to the Hindu solar cycle, it traditionally falls on April 14th annually. In Hindu tradition, this day holds significance across different regions; it's celebrated as Vishu in Kerala and Baisakhi in central and northern India.
Joyful greetings such as "Puthāaṇdu vāazhthugal!" or "Iṉiya puthaandu nalvāazhthugal!" echo the spirit of renewal and prosperity. Families embrace the occasion to bond, engaging in activities like house cleaning, adorning trays with flowers and fruits, visiting local temples, and illuminating family Puja altars. Donning new attire, seeking blessings from elders, and relishing vegetarian feasts symbolise the joy and togetherness of this cherished day.
Must Read - Tamil New Year Wishes
Major attractions of Tamil New Year 2024
1. Tray Rituals
On the eve of Tamil New Year, a special tray is arranged with betel leaves, flowers, fruits, coins/money, gold/silver jewellery, and a mirror. People see this tray first thing in the morning of the new year as it is considered very auspicious.
2. Special Rituals
People start their day by taking a sacred bath and then praying for a fruitful year ahead. A lot of things that are believed to be auspicious are collected and then offered to God.
3. Home Decorations
People participate in home decorations with great enthusiasm. Home entrances are specially ornated with flowers and colored rice powder. People also make Rangoli designs outside their homes, which in this part of the country is known as Kolam.
4. Car Festival
The Tamil New Year also sees lots of celebrations at prominent temples in Tamil Nadu. On new year's day, a big Car Festival is held near Kumbakonam at Tiruvidaimarudur. A few festivals are also held at Kanchipuram, Tiruchirapalli, and some other places.
5. A Special Feast
Later in the day, families get together to have a hearty feast. Mangai-Pachadi is a special dish that is prepared from a number of ingredients and flavors. It is made from astringent mustard, sour raw mango, red chillies, bitter neem, and sweet jaggery. As a ritual, this festive dish is tasted by all the family members.
This dish also has a very symbolic meaning. Since it is made from multiple flavours - sour, bittersweet etc, it sends out a message that one should expect similar flavours in the upcoming year. It also signifies that experiences are ephemeral & transitory and no event is wholly bitter or sweet. It teaches us to make the most out of our experiences.
6. Games
The Tamil New Year is also marked with fun games played between children and youth. Coconut wars or por-thenkai is played in multiple villages. It is especially prominent in north Tamil Nadu. Cart races are also held at some places.
How to Reach
Chennai in Tamil Nadu is a must-visit if you want to explore the Indian culture in its brimming raw essence. The tourist attractions, festivals and events are the major reasons to explore Tamil Nadu. And one such event which you cannot hope to miss is the Tamil New Year. To experience this event, you can travel to Chennai which is located at a distance of 2,210, 1,337, 1,677, and 347 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Chennai, Tamil Nadu by the following means of transportation.
By Air
Chennai being the capital of Tamil Nadu, you can consider deboarding at the Chennai International Airport (MAA). In the 2018-19 fiscal year, this airport handled total passenger traffic of about 22.5 million, due to this, it is also considered the third busiest airport in the country. It has got very good connectivity with other Indian cities with frequent flights travelling to and fro. Once you deboard at the airport, you can take local means of transportation available to reach your destination.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Chennai
By Train
If you are planning to travel by train, then your best options (depending upon your convenience) would be to deboard at either Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram stations.
All these three stations are considered to be major railheads with good connectivity with other Indian cities. Once off the station, you can take any means of public transport available to reach your destination.
By Road
Chennai has been well-connected with other Indian cities by motorable road networks. Thus, if you are planning on travelling here by road, then you can take interstate/private buses or taxis from the nearby regions which are readily available. If both these options don’t suit you, then, you can consider self-driving to this place.
Conclusion
Tamil New Year 2024 marks a time of joy, renewal, and familial bonding. As we celebrate the beginning of a new year in the Tamil calendar, let us cherish the traditions, embrace the spirit of togetherness, and look forward to the prosperity and blessings that lie ahead.
Plan your trip with Adotrip today. Enjoy a wealth of information, end-to-end travel assistance and BOOK Flights, Hotels, and Tour Packages under one roof.
With Adotrip, nothing is far!
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s AI travel planner
Frequently Asked Questions about Tamil New Year 2024
Q1. When is Tamil New Year 2024?
A1. Tamil New Year 2024 falls on April 14th, marking the beginning of the Tamil calendar year.
Q2. What is Tamil New Year also known as?
A2. Tamil New Year is also known as Puthandu or Puthuvarusham in Tamil Nadu.
Q3. How is Tamil New Year celebrated?
A3. Tamil New Year is celebrated with joyous greetings, cleaning and decorating homes, visiting temples, and sharing vegetarian feasts with family and friends.
Q4. What significance does Tamil New Year hold?
A4. Tamil New Year signifies the start of a new year in the Tamil calendar, symbolising renewal, prosperity, and familial bonds.
Q5. Is Tamil New Year celebrated only in Tamil Nadu?
A5. While Tamil New Year is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, it is also observed by Tamil communities across the globe, affirming cultural heritage and traditions.
