14 | 04 | 2020
Tamil New Year or Putthandu, also known as Varashu Pirappu is celebrated with the commencement of the Chithirai month. It is calculated as per the solar calendar. And hence, it falls almost on the same day every year (according to the Gregorian calendar). This year, Tamilians across the globe shall celebrate Puthuvarasham on April 14.
Significance of Puthandu
The New Year day ushers in new hope and hence, it is significant as well as auspicious. On this day, people pray to the Almighty to bless them with good health, wealth, peace and prosperity. And they do so, primarily with the hope of having a happy year. Interestingly, it is also the day when people in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Odisha, Assam, Bihar and Bengal also celebrate their New Year.
On the eve of Puthandu, Tamilians decorate a platter with a variety of fruits and vegetables along with Neem flowers and leaves, new clothes, gold or silver jewellery and cash. This platter is then placed in the temple room in the house in front of a mirror. 
Next morning, soon after waking up, people see the reflection of the platter full of items symbolising prosperity. Then after taking a bath and wearing new clothes, the entire family gears up for the prayers, followed by a feast that mainly includes the pacchadi (raita) made of grated raw mango, jaggery, salt, red chillies, neem leaves, a dash of turmeric and oil.
The combination of these ingredients is special because it reflects the variety of emotions people experience in their day to day life. The raw mango is for sourness, while neem is for bitterness, jaggery for sweetness, chillies for pungency etc. It reminds people that life is a mixed bag of emotions. Therefore, one must enjoy life and accept all that it has in store for him/her.
The feast also includes food preparations such as vadai, samabhar, sadam, payasam, appalam, vegetable curry, fresh mango pickle, curd etc.
Here's wishing one and all a very happy Varashu Pirappu in advance. Stay home, stay safe and have a blissful year ahead.

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