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. |