Puthandu 2026: Date, celebration and significance of Tamil New Year

Puthandu is one of the most significant festivals, which is celebrated as Tamil New Year. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. This day is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month, Chitterai as Tamil New year. Tamil Shaka Samvata 1948 begins from this day. As per Tamil Calendar, Puthandu is celebrated during the time period, when Sankranti occurs after sunrise and before sunrise. Puthandu is going to be celebrated on April 14, 2026.

Puthandu 2026: Date and Time

Date: April 14, 2026

Time: Sankranti Moment on Puthandu - 09:39 AM

Puthandu 2026: Significance

Puthandu is also celebrated as Tamil New Year, which is celebrated as the most significant festival. The festival is celebrated by all Tamilians with great enthusiasm and fervor. For the Tamil people, Puthandu is very important. They commemorate this day with the same fervor as the New Year. It is thought that Lord Indracame to earth on this auspicious day to bring about tranquility and peace. Additionally, the universe is thought to have started with Lord Brahma. As a result, this day has significance of its own. People aspire for prosperity and good fortune in the upcoming year as they commemorate this day with immense delight and happiness. Some people consider this day to be so auspicious that they even launch new businesses. Astrologically, the Sun's position determines this day. The Sun's position would be in the midway across the planet between the southern and northern hemisphere. That represents the harmony between humans and the natural world.

Puthandu 2026: Rituals

1. People wake up early and clean the house.

2. Take herbal holy bath with turmeric after cleaning the home. To welcome prosperity, women begin decorating their homes with kolam.

3. People dress traditionally and invite their relatives at home.

4. They bring flowers, sweets, fruits, and other auspicious goods to their homes.

5. There is a ritual, where people offer bhog prasad to God, which is Pongal (a special rice meal).

6. Families share a unique sweet meal called "Mango Pachadi" (a concoction of jaggery, sour raw mango, tamarind, neem leaves, and red chilies) after performing puja rituals.

7. On this auspicious day, people eat vegetarian food and prepare various vegetarian dishes.

8. The Panchangam, a crucial component of the tradition, is read by the family's eldest member to wrap up the celebration.