Reading of Panchangam: Tamil New Year 2016

At the time of each Tamil New Year, the reading of the Panchangam (Tamil New Year's Almanac) occurs. This reading of the Almanac by senior Priest of Arunachaleswarar Temple is primarily in relation to the confirmation of Festival Dates at the Temple throughout the coming year. 

Priests near Flagstaff at Siva Sannidhi, Arunachaleswarar Temple

2016 Arunachala Tamil New Year

The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine and Mandapam is located on the Arunachala girivalam roadway in an exact axial line opposite to Arunachaleswarar Temple on the other side of the Hill. 

The early morning sun on Tamil New Year i.e. April 14 (Puthandu Vazthukal) first falls directly onto the Lingam in this Shrine – this phenomenon can only be viewed on this day. Traditionally each year on this date, large crowds gather at this Temple to be first to greet the rays of Surya and seek divine blessings for the coming new year. 

The Ner Annamalaiyar Lingam Shrine at daybreak April 14, 2016

First light of Tamil New Year shining on Lingam at Shrine

First Light Tamil New year 2016

Reading of the Panchangam 2014

One very important aspect of the Tamil New Year (celebrated April 14) is the reading of the Panchangam at Arunachala’s main Temple, Arunachaleswarar Kovil. 

It is the Panchangam which is referred to when setting the dates of certain Festivals and Functions as it indicates (to one who knows how to read it) the right time to do certain things and also the time to avoid certain bad celestial aspects. 

The Panchangam, April 14, 2014

Arunachaleswarar Temple, April 14, 2014

Chithirai Ursavam Panjangam Padithal

The year of 2012 has so far been very auspicious in Tamil Nadu, as we have been able to celebrate it four times. First on the traditional Western-centric January 1st and then during Pongal (during which period the State Government has been trying to officially but unsuccessfully relocate the beginning of the Tamil Year). And the last two New Year celebrations occurred this month on the 13th and 14th of April. The double date a result of it being a leap year in 2012. 

The priests reading the 2012 alamanac (Panjangam Padithai) are from our own Arunachaleswarar Temple. This reading which takes part at the beginning of the Tamil New Year in April, tells about weather, harvest, wealth and auspicous dates for the upcoming year. And shows the Vedic Hindu Astrological calendar with information about the position of celestial bodies. 

The below photographs are of Chithirai Ursavam Panjangam Padithal, and celebrate Chithirai i.e. the first month of this Tamil year. Ursavam is a Festival (generally lasting 10 days) which is celebrated on behalf of anyTemple.

Tamil New Year

Happy Tamil New Year to one and all. Today is Puthandu -- Tamil New Year, which is traditionally celebrated each year on April 13th or 14th (depending on the calendar) by people of Tamil Nadu, and Tamil people throughout the world.


On this day people greet each other, "Puthandu Vaz" -- which means Happy New Year. This auspicious day is also popular as Varusha Pirappuv. As per the Hindu mythical legend, it is on this day that Lord Brahma started to create the Universe.


By way of celebration the main focus is on food eaten on this day. 'Maanga Pachadi,' -- the pulse of the Festival, is a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers which tastes; sweet, salty, sour and bitter. This symbolises the different conditions one has to face in one's life.


In Tamil Nadu people follow certain rituals to ensure well-being and prosperity of their families. The most popular tradition is to view 'Kanni', at dawn with a hope to bring good luck. Thus people start the day by looking at auspicious items such as gold, silver, jewellery, betel leaves, nut, fruits, vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts.

Photograph of the real 'Kanni'
(taken at 7 a.m. today)

Following this ritual one takes a bath, puts on fresh clothes and visits Temples to pray for success in life. Traditionally after this, the Panchangam (almanac) is read. People exchange gifts with each other and children are highly excited at this time as they receive gifts and money from parents and relatives.


Many prepare for this Festival by painting their homes in order to symbolise the renewal of life. The house is also adorned with fresh mango leaves and kolam (chalk or painted floor designs). Sometimes a decorated lamp, 'Kuthuvillakku,' is placed in the centre of a colourful kolam to bring light to the home.

Wishing one and all a
HAPPY AUSPICIOUS NEW YEAR

Tamil New Year

The month of Chittrai (April - May) embarks the time of festivities in Tamil Nadu and starts off the Tamil year running through to Panguni (March - April), 2009. Tamil's New Year Day “Puthandu” (according to the Gregorian Calendar) is celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year. People greet each other “Puthandu Vazthukal” which means Happy New Year. This auspicious day is also known as “Varusha Pirappuv”, a time upon which, Lord Brahma is believed to have started the creation of the Universe.

The day starts with viewing the “kanni” (the auspicious sight) at dawn, in the expectation that beginning the New Year by looking at auspicious or favourable things will bring good fortune throughout the year. Such auspicious items includes; old and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. “Kanni” is followed by a bath and visit to the Temple to pray for a prosperous and happy New Year. After which, the Panchangam (almanac) is read. Ladies adorn the entrances of their houses with “Kolam” (design made with rice flour) and deck the doorway with mango leaves.

It is during the month of Chittirai the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar is celebrated as “Chitthirai Festival”.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY TAMIL

NEW YEAR,

14TH APRIL, 2007.

"JUST AS LORD SHIVA TOOK 'ALAHALA' POISON AND CHANGED IT INTO 'AMBROSIA', THE LORD WILL CHANGE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS INTO GREAT BLESSINGS, FOR THOSE WHO WORK FOR HIM."

[Yogi Ramsuratkumar]

Puthandu

Puthandu marks the Tamil New Year's Day and is celebrated in the beginning of Chithirai; the first month in the Tamil Calendar year. The auspicious occasion of Puthandu popularly known as 'Varusha Pirappu' or just 'New Year' falls this year on April 14th. Many people in Tamil Nadu also celebrate Puthandu as the day when Lord Brahma started creation. At certain places 'Chitthirai Festival' is also organized during this auspicious month to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar.

People of Tamil Nadu celebrate Puthandu Pirappu by following specific traditions and rituals. Early in the morning, womenfolk adorn the entrance of the home with colorful Kolam (geometric patterns). At the centre of the kolam a lamp is placed called kuthuvillakku in the belief it will dispel darkness.

A popular custom of Puthandu is 'kanni' which means 'auspicious sight'. People start Puthandu day by looking at favourable things like gold and silver jewellery, betel leaves, nuts, fruits, vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. This is done under the belief that a good start to New Year will ensure prosperity and happiness in the coming year. On this day it is also customary in this State for people to visit Temples to invoke Divine blessings for the coming year.

Festive food includes 'Maanga Pachadi', a sweet, sour and bitter dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers a dish which is simultaneously sweet and sour; in order to signify the opposites of life. Many even get their homes painted especially for the New Year and people visit friends and give gifts to youngsters on this day. Also on Tamil New Year day businesses usually start new account books.



The Tamil Calendar, which has 12 months from Chitthirai (April, May) to Panguni (March, April), has a 60-year cycle.

Chitthirai April 14th to May 14th
Vaikasi May 15th to June 14th
Aani June June 15th to July 16th
Aadi July July 17th to August 16th
Aavani August 17th to September 16th
Purattasi September17th to October 17th
Aipasi October 18th to November 15th
Karthigai November 16th to December 15th
Marghazi December 16th to January 13th
Thai January 14th to February 12th
Masi February 13th to March 13th
Panguni March 14th to April 13th

The days of the Tamil Calendar relate to the celestial bodies in the solar system.

Sun Sunday
Moon Monday
Mars Tuesday
Mercury Wednesday
Jupiter Thursday
Venus Friday
Saturn Saturday