Puthandu (), or better known as Tamil New Year or Chithirai Tiru-naal, is the celebration of the first day of the Tamil new year in mid-April by Tamils in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in India, in Sri Lanka and by the Tamil population in Malaysia, Singapore, Réunion and Mauritius. On this day, Tamil people greet each other by saying "Puthandu Vazthukal" () or "Iniya Tamizh Puthandu Nalvaazhthukkal" (). The festive occasion is in keeping with the Hindu solar calendar.
Origin and significance
The Tamil New Year follows the Nirayanam vernal equinox and generally falls on 14 April of the Gre...