| The month of chitthirai has arrived and with the Tamil Mew Year's day. April 14th an occasion for celebration for tamilians all over the world. Greetings of "Puthandu Vazthukal, (Happy New Year), is exchanged with fervor on this day, which is the day when Lord Brahma started creation.
The day starts with viewing the kanni {the auspicious sight) at sunrise, in the expectation that beginning the New Year by looking at favorable things that will bring good fortune through out the year. The auspicious things include gold and silver, jewelry, betel leaves, nuts, fruits and vegetables, flowers, raw rice and coconuts. This is followed by the ritual bath and a visit to the temple to pray for a prosperous and a happy new year. After which, the panchangam (calendar) is read. The ladies decorate the entrances of their house with kolam (design made with rice flour) and beautify the doorway with mango leaves. The highlight of the festival is the Maanga Pachadi (a dish made of raw mangoes, jaggery and neem flowers which is at the same time sweet, sour and bitter. This signifies all the special aspects of life. We have tamil new year e cards and tamil new year greetings.
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