Happy Tamil New Year & Vishu

"Puthandu" or Tamil New Year falls in the month of Chittirai (April) as per the Indian almanac.It is celebrated by Tamilians all over the world which is supposedly the day when Lord Brahma started creation. Tamil New year is also known as" Varusha Pirappu". ‘Varusham’ is the Tamil word for ‘year’ and ‘Pirappu” can be translated as ‘birth’ or ‘beginning’.Puthandu or Varusha Pirappu is significant as it is believed to be indicative of how the rest of the year will be. Therefore, people only entertain positive thoughts and engage in meaningful activities on this day.This is followed by the ritual bath and a visit to the temple to pray for a prosperous and happy New Year.April 14th also happens to be the Bengali New Year Day, Naba Barsha, which begins with the ‘Prabhat Pheries’ (an early morning procession) with songs and dances welcoming the New Year.In Kerala ‘Vishu’ is celebrated by Malayalees commemorating the beginning of the astronomical New Year in the Malayalam Calendar.Today(April 14th)is "good friday" also.
On this New Year day early in the morning, the entrance is decorated with 'Kolam'(Rangoli)is done with raw rice flour.The doorways are adorned with mango leaves to mark the auspicious occasion.A pot with five mango leaves and a coconut, lit joss sticks, a tray of flowers, betel leaves, arecanuts, comb of bananas and the sweet rice are offered to the Sun God and Lord Ganesh to complete the pooja. A coconut is broken by the head of the household and incense is burnt.Vadai,Payasam, Parupu,Sakkarai Pongal and Mango Pachadi prepared as "nivedhyam".