Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year, is a festival celebrated by the Tamil people in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry, as well as by Tamil communities in other parts of India and the world.

Puthandu falls on April 14th every year, and it marks the beginning of the Tamil calendar year. On this day, people clean their houses and decorate the entrance with “Kolam” (decorative patterns made with rice flour). They also prepare a special dish called “Maanga Pachadi,” which is a combination of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy flavors, symbolizing the different emotions that one may experience in life.

In Tamil Nadu, people visit the temples to offer prayers and seek blessings for the new year. They also exchange greetings and gifts with their friends and relatives. Another important aspect of Puthandu is the reading of the “Panchangam,” which is an almanac that predicts the events of the coming year.

Puthandu is an important festival for the Tamil people, and it symbolizes new beginnings, prosperity, and happiness. It promotes the values of family, community, and tradition, and it is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm.