| Puthandu Tamil New Year | |
|---|---|
 Tamil New Year decorations for Puthandu | |
| Official name | Puthandu |
| Observed by | Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Reunion, Malaysia, Singapore[1] |
| Type | Cultural, Social, Religious |
| Significance | Tamil New Year |
| Celebrations | Feasting, gift-giving, visiting homes and temples, Kani tray |
| Date | First day of Chithirai in the Tamil calendar |
| 2024 date | Sunday, 14 April (Tamil Nadu, India),[2] Sunday, April 14 (Sri Lanka),[3] Sunday, April 14 (Malaysia), April 14 (Mauritius) |
| Frequency | Annual |
Puthandu (Tamil: புத்தாண்டு, romanized: Puttāṇṭu, lit. 'new year'), also known as Tamil New Year, is the first day of year on the Tamil calendar that is traditionally celebrated as a festival by Tamils. The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the solar Hindu calendar, as the first day of the month of Chittirai. It falls on or about 14 April every year on the Gregorian calendar.[1] The same day is observed elsewhere in South and South East Asia as the traditional new year, but it is known by other names such as Vishu in Kerala, and Vaisakhi or Baisakhi in central and northern India.[1]
On this day, Tamil people greet each other by saying "Puttāṇṭu vāḻttukaḷ!" (புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துகள்) or "Iṉiya puttāṇṭu nalvāḻttukaḷ!" (இனிய புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துகள்), which is equivalent to "Happy new year".[4] The day is observed as a family time. Households clean up the house, prepare a tray with fruits, flowers and auspicious items, light up the family puja altar and visit their local temples. People wear new clothes and children go to elders to pay their respects and seek their blessings, then the family sits down to a vegetarian feast.[5]
Puthandu is celebrated by Tamils in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius and Reunion. The Tamil diaspora also celebrates it [1][6] in countries such as Myanmar, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia.
- ^ a b c d J. Gordon Melton (2011). Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. ABC-CLIO. p. 633. ISBN 978-1-59884-206-7.
- ^ https://www.tn.gov.in/holiday/2024 [bare URL]
- ^ "Public and Bank Holidays 2024 Sri Lanka". 21 July 2023.
- ^ William D. Crump (2014). Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide. McFarland. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-7864-9545-0.
- ^ Samuel S. Dhoraisingam (2006). Peranakan Indians of Singapore and Melaka. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 38. ISBN 978-981-230-346-2.
- ^ Peter Reeves (2014). The Encyclopedia of the Sri Lankan Diaspora. Editions Didier Millet. p. 113. ISBN 978-981-4260-83-1., Quote: "The key festivals celebrated by Sri Lankan Tamils in Canada include Thai Pongal (harvest festival) in January, Puthuvarusham (Tamil/New Year) in April, and Deepavali (Festival of Lights) in October/November."