
Surya
Puthandu marks the Tamil New Year, celebrated on April 14 every year. It is the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai. Families prepare the Kanni, a tray of auspicious items including gold, fruits, flowers, and a mirror, which is the first thing seen on New Year morning. Traditional kolam designs adorn doorsteps, and the festive meal features mango pachadi -- a dish that blends sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and pungent flavors, symbolizing the mixed experiences of life. Puthandu is celebrated across Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and by Tamil communities worldwide.