Tamil New Year or Varsha Pirappu usually falls in the month of April. The month of Chitthirai has arrived and with it the Tamil New Year’s Day; April 14th – an occasion for celebration for Tamilians all over the world. Greetings of “Puthandu Vazthukal”, (Happy New Year), are exchanged with fervour on this day, which is supposedly the day when Lord Brahma (The Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation.

The Tamil people rise early on Varsha Pirappu's (New Year) morning and gather around the household altar for a special religious ceremony. Ganesha, a God worshipped at New Year is offered fruits, sweets and flowers. They have a feast of grains as New Year occurs at harvest time. Traditionally Panchangam (almanac) reading has been a part of this new year festivity.

The ladies adorn the entrances of their houses with ‘Kolam’ (design made with rice flour) and deck the doorway with mango leaves. The highlight of the festival is the 'Maanga Pachadi' (a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers), which is at the same time sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies all the different aspects of our life. Like any other festival a sumptuous feast is an essential part of this festivity also.

The Tamil Calendar, which has 12 months from Chitthirai (April - May) to Panguni (March - April), has a 60-year cycle.

Meeting with relatives and friends and share the joy on this new year day has been a regular feature of this festivity.