Happy Puthandu 2023: Wishes, quotes and messages to celebrate the Tamil New Year

Puthandu is a festival that marks the beginning of the Tamil New Year. It is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar.

This year, Puthandu falls on April 14, 2023. It is a day of joy and gratitude for the Tamil people, who pray for a prosperous and happy year ahead.

How to celebrate Puthandu?

There are many traditions and rituals associated with Puthandu. Some of them are:

• Kanni: On the eve of Puthandu, people arrange a tray with auspicious items like fruits, flowers, coins, jewelry, mirror, and a holy book. This is called Kanni, which means “the first sight”. The next morning, people wake up early and look at the Kanni as the first thing they see. This is believed to bring good luck and blessings for the year.
• Kolam: People decorate their houses with kolam, which are intricate designs made of colored rice flour on the floor. Kolam symbolize beauty and harmony. They also place a lamp in the center of the kolam to dispel darkness and ignorance.
• Panchangam: People visit temples and listen to the reading of the panchangam, which is the almanac for the year. The panchangam contains information about auspicious days, festivals, eclipses, and other astrological events. People also seek the blessings of the deities and offer prayers and donations.
• Feast: People prepare and enjoy a feast with their family and friends on Puthandu. Some of the traditional dishes include pongal (rice cooked with milk and jaggery), mango pachadi (a sweet and sour dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery, and neem flowers), payasam (a sweet pudding made of milk, rice, and nuts), and vadai (fried lentil fritters).

How to wish Puthandu?

People exchange greetings and wishes on Puthandu with their loved ones. Some of the common ways to wish Puthandu are:

• Puthandu Vazthukal: This means “Happy New Year” in Tamil. It is a simple and formal way to wish someone on Puthandu.
• Iniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal: This means “Wishing you a happy new year” in Tamil. It is a more elaborate and polite way to wish someone on Puthandu.
• Puthandu Pirappu Nalvazhthukkal: This means “Wishing you a happy new year’s day” in Tamil. It is a more specific way to wish someone on Puthandu.
• Puthandu Nalvalthukkal: This means “Greetings for the new year” in Tamil. It is a short and casual way to wish someone on Puthandu.

You can also add some personal messages or quotes to your wishes to make them more heartfelt and meaningful. For example:

• May this new year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. Puthandu Vazthukal!
• Let us welcome this new year with hope, joy, and gratitude. Iniya Puthandu Nalvazhthukkal!
• May this new year’s day be filled with blessings and love. Puthandu Pirappu Nalvazhthukkal!
• Greetings for the new year! May you achieve all your goals and dreams. Puthandu Nalvalthukkal!

Puthandu is a festival that celebrates the Tamil New Year. It is a time to thank God for the past year and pray for a better future. It is also a time to enjoy with family and friends and share greetings and wishes. Puthandu is a festival that showcases the rich culture and heritage of the Tamil people.