Tamil New year is celebrated as the first day of the Tamil Year by the Tamils spread around the world, especially those in Tamilnadu, Puducherry and parts of Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius,etc. This is celebrated in accordance with the Hindu Solar Calendar. 
The Tamil month of Chitthirai from mid-April to mid-May is the first month of Tamil calendar. The month usually starts from 14th April, the day known as Tamil New Year. According to Hindu Mythology, this is the day on which Lord Brahma -the creator of the universe, started the creation of the world.
People rise early in the morning, take bath and go for Kanni or the auspicious sight. The auspicious things include jewelry items, fruits, vegetables, flowers, coconut, betel leaves and nuts, rice,etc. Then people visit temples and pray for a prosperous year ahead.
Women fold get early in the morning and decorate the entrance of their houses with Kolam made from rice powder and adorn the doors with mango leaves. They prepare a dish called Maanga Pachadi made of raw mangoes, jiggery, and neem flowers wnich tastes sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies that our life is a mixture of sorrows and joys.
On this day several fairs and cultural programs are organised at different places all over the state of tamilnadu. A grand Car Festival is held at Tiruvadamarudur near Kumbakonam every year. Also Madurai witnesses the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar in the form of 'Chitthirai festival' with great grandeur.
Relevant Links
- Send Tamil New Year greetings to your friends and family.