
Looking forward to new beginnings and positive vibes? Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, is one such vibrant celebration that brings hope, joy, and cultural pride for Tamilians across the world.
Let’s dive into the traditions, rituals, and astrological significance of Tamil New Year 2025, along with interesting facts and festive customs.
Tamil New Year 2025, also known as Puthandu or Varusha Pirappu, will be celebrated on Monday, 14th April 2025.
This day marks the first day of the Tamil month ‘Chithirai’ and follows the solar cycle as per the Hindu calendar. The date usually falls on 13th or 14th April every year in the Gregorian calendar.
On this day, the Sun transits into Aries (Mesha Rashi) — a major astrological event that signifies new beginnings, energy shifts, and positive changes.
That’s why this day is also considered auspicious for Rasi Palan (zodiac predictions). Want to know what the Tamil New Year has in store for your rasi?
👉 Consult top Tamil astrologers on Astroyogi now
While Puthandu is a major festival in Tamil Nadu, it is also widely celebrated by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, and other parts of the world.
Interestingly, in other regions of India, this same day is celebrated as:
Vaisakhi in Punjab
Vishu in Kerala
Pohela Boishakh in Bengal
Bihu in Assam
Puthandu is more than just a New Year—it’s a day of family bonding, rituals, food, and festivities. Here’s how it’s traditionally celebrated:
Families come together to clean their homes. Entrances are decorated with vibrant kolams (rangoli made from rice flour), and neem and mango leaves are hung at the doorway.
The day begins by viewing the ‘Kanni’, a tray of auspicious items like gold, silver, fruits, betel leaves, mirror, and flowers. It’s believed that seeing these symbols first thing in the morning brings luck, wealth, and happiness.
After a holy bath, devotees wear new clothes and visit temples to seek blessings. In Madurai, the Meenakshi Temple is a major pilgrimage site during Puthandu.
A mouth-watering vegetarian feast is a must on this day! The star dish is Mangai Pachadi, made from:
Raw mango (sour)
Jaggery (sweet)
Neem flowers (bitter)
Chilies (spicy)
Salt & mustard (astringent)
Each ingredient symbolizes the different emotions of life—sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy—reminding us to embrace every experience with grace.
Other popular delicacies include:
Payasam
Veppam Poo Pachadi
Paruppu Vada
Curd Rice and more!
In some parts of Tamil Nadu, coconut wars, cart races, and cultural performances are organized. In Madurai, the Chithirai Porutkatchi exhibition adds more color to the celebrations.
The Tamil New Year begins with Sun entering Aries (Mesha Rashi). This is astrologically considered a powerful time to:
Set new goals
Perform rituals for prosperity
Start auspicious tasks
Understand your yearly Rasi Palan
Want a personalized prediction for the year ahead?
👉 Talk to expert Tamil astrologers on Astroyogi and uncover what 2025 holds for you.
Puthandu is not just a New Year celebration; it’s a beautiful reflection of Tamil culture, tradition, and spiritual values. Whether you are in Tamil Nadu or abroad, this day is a time to start fresh, express gratitude, and embrace new hopes.
May your Puthandu 2025 be filled with love, light, and laughter!