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Tamil New Year, known as Puthandu, is a vibrant and culturally significant festival celebrated by Tamil communities worldwide. Falling on April 14, 2025, this day marks the beginning of the Tamil calendar year and the first month, Chithirai. It is a time for new beginnings, prosperity, and spiritual reflection. The festival is celebrated with traditional zeal in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and among the Tamil diaspora in countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States.
The Tamil New Year is rooted in ancient traditions and astronomical significance. It aligns with the Sun’s transition into Mesha Rashi (Aries), symbolizing renewal and balance between nature and humanity. On this day, families clean their homes, decorate entrances with colorful kolams (rangoli), and prepare a ceremonial tray called Kanni. This tray includes auspicious items such as fruits (mangoes, bananas, jackfruit), betel leaves, gold or silver jewelry, coins, flowers, and a mirror. Viewing this arrangement first thing in the morning is believed to bring good fortune throughout the year.
Celebrations begin early with oil baths followed by wearing new clothes. Families visit temples to seek divine blessings through special prayers and rituals. The day is marked by exchanging Tamil New Year wishes, such as “Puthandu Vazthukal” or “Iniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukal,” which translate to “Happy Tamil New Year.” Elders bless younger family members with gifts or money as a gesture of goodwill.
A highlight of Tamil New Year festivities is the grand vegetarian feast that includes dishes like Mango Pachadi, symbolizing the bittersweet moments of life. Cultural programs featuring music, dance performances, and traditional games further enrich the celebrations. In regions like Madurai, the Chithirai Thiruvizha adds grandeur to the occasion with temple events and exhibitions.
The Tamil New Year also carries astrological importance through Raasi Palan (horoscope predictions) for guidance on career, relationships, health, and finances. This aspect reflects the deep connection between Tamil culture and cosmic energies.
Whether through traditional rituals or modern expressions like sharing Tamil New Year wishes images on social media or watching new year release Tamil movies 2025, Puthandu unites Tamils in celebrating their rich heritage. As we welcome Tamil New Year 2025, let us embrace its spirit of renewal and prosperity with joy and gratitude!
Do Check: Tamil New Year Wishes 2025
General Knowledge Questions and Answers on Tamil New Year
Ques. What is Tamil New Year called?
Answer: Puthandu or Tamil New Year.
Ques. On which date is Tamil New Year generally celebrated?
Answer: 14 April, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Ques. Which Tamil month marks the beginning of the Tamil New Year?
Answer: Chittirai.
Ques. What do Tamil people traditionally say to greet each other on Tamil New Year?
Answer: “Puttāṇṭu vāḻttukaḷ!” or “Iṉiya puttāṇṭu nalvāḻttukaḷ!”
Ques. What is the Tamil New Year celebration commonly referred to as?
Answer: Puthandu or Puthuvarusham.
Ques. What is the significance of the mirror in the Tamil New Year celebrations?
Answer: The mirror is part of the Chithirai Kani or Vishukani arrangement, symbolizing wealth and prosperity for the coming year.
Ques. Which countries celebrate Tamil New Year?
Answer: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Reunion, Myanmar, South Africa, UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
Ques. What is the meaning of “Puthāṇṭu”?
Answer: “Puthāṇṭu” means “new year” in Tamil.
Ques. What is the first activity that is performed on Tamil New Year morning?
Answer: The family members wake up early, clean the house, and prepare an auspicious tray with fruits, flowers, and other items.
Ques. What items are typically arranged on the Tamil New Year festive tray?
Answer: Mango, banana, jackfruit, betel leaves, arecanut, coins, flowers, and a mirror.
Ques. Which festival coincides with Tamil New Year in Kerala?
Answer: Vishu.
Ques. Which other festival is celebrated on the same date as Tamil New Year in northern India?
Answer: Vaisakhi or Baisakhi.
Ques. Which fruit is not typically included in the Tamil New Year festive tray?
Answer: Apple (not mentioned in the content, whereas mango, banana, and jackfruit are mentioned).
Ques. What is the traditional dish served during Tamil New Year?
Answer: A feast, often including the bitter-sour-sweet-pungent flavor combination, with dishes such as mango-based pachadi.
Ques. In which temple city is the Chittirai Thiruvila festival celebrated with a grand exhibition?
Answer: Madurai.
Ques. What is the significance of the Chittirai Kani or Vishukani tray?
Answer: It is arranged with auspicious items to be seen first thing in the morning to bring prosperity and good luck.
Ques. Which region is known for celebrating Chithiraikani during Tamil New Year?
Answer: Kongu Nadu.
Ques. What does the Tamil New Year mark in terms of seasons?
Answer: It marks the start of the Ilavenil season or summer according to the Tamil calendar.
Ques. Which famous Tamil epic refers to the zodiac signs and the commencement of the Tamil New Year?
Answer: The Silappadikaaram.
Ques. Which Indian state government attempted to move the date of Tamil New Year in 2008?
Answer: The DMK-led government of Tamil Nadu.
Ques. What is the traditional greeting exchanged by Tamil people during Puthandu?
Answer: “Puttāṇṭu vāḻttukaḷ” or “Iṉiya Puthāṇṭu nalvāḻttukaḷ.”
Ques. Which flowers are commonly used during Tamil New Year celebrations?
Answer: Flowers, including those for offerings, are part of the auspicious tray, though specific flowers are not listed.
Ques. How is Tamil New Year celebrated in Sri Lanka?
Answer: With the Kai-vishesham (a financial transaction), family visits, and cultural events like coconut wars and cart races.
Ques. What is the name of the festival celebrated at Tiruvidaimarudur?
Answer: The Car Festival, held on Tamil New Year.
Ques. What does the “Vishu Kani” or “Chithiraikani” tray include?
Answer: Three fruits (mango, banana, and jackfruit), betel leaves, arecanut, gold or silver jewelry, coins/money, flowers, and a mirror.
Ques. What is the importance of “kolam” during Tamil New Year celebrations?
Answer: Kolam refers to the colorful designs made from rice powder that decorate the entrances of homes.
Ques. Which Tamil epic discusses the commencement of the year in Chittirai?
Answer: The Tolkaapiyam.
Ques. Which Hindu festival is associated with the Tamil New Year?
Answer: It is part of the broader Hindu festival tradition celebrating the beginning of the year according to the solar calendar.
Ques. In which year was the Tamil New Year moved to 14 January before being reverted?
Answer: The year 2008, when the DMK-led government attempted to change the date.
Ques. What is the main significance of celebrating Tamil New Year on 14 April?
Answer: It marks the beginning of the traditional Tamil solar calendar year, which aligns with the spring equinox.
GK Quiz on Tamil New Year
Question: When is Tamil New Year traditionally celebrated?
a) January 1
b) April 14
c) January 14
d) December 31
Answer: b) April 14
Question: What is Tamil New Year also known as?
a) Pongal
b) Puthandu
c) Deepavali
d) Onam
Answer: b) Puthandu
Question: Which month of the Tamil calendar marks the beginning of tamil new year?
a) Aadi
b) Thai
c) Chittirai
d) Margazhi
Answer: c) Chittirai
Question: Which of these is a traditional greeting for happy tamil new year wishes in tamil?
a) Vanakkam
b) Puttāṇṭu vāḻttukaḷ
c) Nandri
d) Podhum
Answer: b) Puttāṇṭu vāḻttukaḷ
Question: Which astronomical event is associated with the timing of Tamil New Year?
a) Winter solstice
b) Summer solstice
c) Spring equinox
d) Autumn equinox
Answer: c) Spring equinox
Traditional Celebrations Quiz
Question: Which of the following items is NOT typically placed on the Puthandu tray?
a) Mango
b) Banana
c) Apple
d) Jackfruit
Answer: c) Apple
Question: What are the colorful geometric designs made from rice powder called in tamil new year celebrations?
a) Rangoli
b) Kolam
c) Mehendi
d) Alpana
Answer: b) Kolam
Question: What is the KonguNadu region’s special tradition during Tamil New Year called?
a) Chithiraikani
b) Kai-vishesham
c) Por-thenkai
d) Arpudu
Answer: a) Chithiraikani
Question: In Sri Lankan Tamil New Year celebrations, what is the traditional first financial transaction called?
a) Kani-kaanum
b) Kai-vishesham
c) Chittirai Porutkaatchi
d) Arpudu
Answer: b) Kai-vishesham
Question: What game is traditionally played during Tamil New Year celebrations in Sri Lankan Tamil villages?
a) Kabaddi
b) Chess
c) Por-thenkai (coconut wars)
d) Pallanguzhi
Answer: c) Por-thenkai (coconut wars)
Question: When did the DMK government attempt to change the date of Tamil New Year?
a) 2000
b) 2005
c) 2008
d) 2011
Answer: c) 2008
Question: When was the traditional April date for Tamil New Year officially restored?
a) 2009
b) 2010
c) 2011
d) 2012
Answer: c) 2011
Question: Which of the following ancient Tamil texts mentions the division of the year into six seasons with Chittirai marking the start of summer?
a) Silappadikaaram
b) Manimekalai
c) Puṟanāṉūṟu
d) Tolkaapiyam
Answer: d) Tolkaapiyam
Question: Which political party restored the official celebration of tamil new year in April?
a) DMK
b) AIADMK
c) MDMK
d) BJP
Answer: b) AIADMK
Question: Which of these is NOT a place where Tamil New Year is widely celebrated?
a) Singapore
b) Malaysia
c) Japan
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: c) Japan
Question: Which Hindu temple is famous for its Chittirai Thiruvilha during tamil new year?
a) Brihadeeswara Temple
b) Meenakshi Temple
c) Kapaleeshwarar Temple
d) Ramanathaswamy Temple
Answer: b) Meenakshi Temple
Question: In which South Indian state is the same day as Tamil New Year observed as Vishu?
a) Kerala
b) Karnataka
c) Andhra Pradesh
d) Telangana
Answer: a) Kerala
Question: What is the most likely date for tamil new year 2025?
a) January 1, 2025
b) January 14, 2025
c) April 14, 2025
d) April 1, 2025
Answer: c) April 14, 2025
Question: Which festival is celebrated on the same day as Tamil New Year in Punjab?
a) Lohri
b) Baisakhi
c) Holi
d) Diwali
Answer: b) Baisakhi1
Question: What type of feast is traditionally prepared for celebrating happy tamil new year?
a) Non-vegetarian feast
b) Vegetarian feast
c) Only sweets
d) Only rice dishes
Answer: b) Vegetarian feast
