Tamil New Year is celebrated as on this day Brahma created the world according to Hindu mythology.

“Puthandu” or The Tamil New Year occurs on the first day of Chithirai month usually on 13th or 14th April every year in Tamil Nadu and South India. It is also celebrated in some other parts of the world where Tamil community is residing such as Singapore, Mauritius and other countries.

Maanga Pachadi is the famous dish eaten on this day. The recipe is made of neem flowers, raw mangoes and jaggery. In Tiruvidaimarudur near Kumbakonam, a big car festival is hosted.

On the New Year’s Eve many people paint their houses, go to temple, exchange greetings with each other and women decorate their house with Kolam or Rangoli designs and fresh mango leaves.

Tamils commence the day by watching gold and silver jewelry, flowers, betel leaves, raw rice, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and coconuts. They take bath in holy water, visit temples to worship for achievement and wear new clothes. In the evening people play classic games such as bullock-cart races, kiddy, tharchi and breaking coconuts.