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By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Sri Lankans celebrate the first post-war Tamil and Sinhala new year.“Puththaandu” or “Puthu Varusham” literally translates New Year. The New Year is the harbinger of spring.

Traditional set up at a Hindu house

Tamil and Sinhala New Year dawns on April 14th 2010 at 5.21AM according to Vaakkiya Panchaangam, and at 6.57AM according to Thirukanitha Panchaangam on Revathy Natchaththiram third stage. Vishu Puniya Kaalam or auspicious time to place the Niraikudam is from 1.21AM to 9.21AM on April 14th 2010.Panchaangam is an almanac.

Auspicious time for first cash transaction or Kai Vishedam will be on April 15th 2010 from 6.49AM to 7.44AM or 9.59AM to 11.58AM.

The auspicious colour for this year is gold or white with red border. And the auspicious stone is coral or diamond or pearl. The New Year is called “Vikirththy”. This is the 24th year of the 60 year cycle of the Tamil calendar. There are twelve astronomically ordained houses. They are:

1. Meda Veedu 2. Idaba Veedu 3. Mithuna Veedu 4. Kataka Veedu 5. Singa Veedu 6. Kanni Veedu 7. Thula Veedu 8. Virutchika Veedu 9. Thanu Veedu 10. Makara Veedu 11. Kumba Veedu 12. Meena Veedu

The Sun moves into the Meda Veedu (Aries) from Meena Veedu (Pisces), which falls in Mid April is celebrated as the Tamil New Year. It’s the commencement of the Tamil month “Chiththirai”. April is the month of reveal and revelry. It’s an auspicious month for the Tamils. Feasts, fasts, festivals and family events are scheduled during the month of “Chiththirai”.The New Year falls during the “Ilavenil Kaalam” or spring time for the Tamils. It’s also noted that, the birds begin to hum, flowers bloom and trees with fresh green leaves during the spring time. The Sun travels from Meda Veedu and stays in other houses respectively throughout twelve months. The whole journey through each house takes one year.

The Hindus clean the houses and compound before the New Year; have “Maruththu Neer” (made of various herbals) bath; dressed in new clothes according to the year’s lucky colour and welcome the New Year by lighting fire crackers and make sweet rice at home.

Hindus queue up at temple to get “Maruththu Neer” (medicinal water) to anoint at the dawn of New Year.

“Maruththu Neer” is made of “Arugu”, “Vilvam”, “Kondral”, “Aal”, “Arasu” (bo tree leaves), “Mathulai” (pomegranate) , “Thamarai” (lotus), “Thulasi”, “Kosalam”, “Komayam”, Milk, King Coconut, Rose water, “Sukku” (dried ginger), Cardamom, and Nutmeg.

These ingredients are boiled together for few minutes and made as watery.

Varieties of decoration adorn the temples and houses on this day.

People throng the temples to worship for the wellbeing of their families. Special meals are cooked and shared with relatives and friends on this day. On an auspicious time first cash transaction called “Kai Vishesham” is made by the head of the family to the rest of the family. Auspicious time for money transaction is on April 14th from 12.26pm to 2.02pm.

The Tamil calendar has 60 year cycle according to “Vaakkiya Panchchaangam” and Thirukanitha Panchchaangam” (traditional Tami Almanacs). They are named as follows:

1. Prabhava 2. Vibhava 3. Sukla 4. Pramodhoodha 5. Prachorpaththi 6. Aangirasa 7. Srimukha 8. Bhava 9. Yuva 10. Thaadhu 11. Eesvara 12. Vehudhanya 13. Piramaathi 14. Vikrama 15. Visha 16. Chitirabaanu 17.Subaanu 18. Thaarana 19. Paarththipa 20. Viya 21. Sarvasithu 22. Sarvathaari 23. Virothi 24. Vikruthi 25. Kara 26. Nanthana 27. Vijaya 28. Jaya 29. Manmatha 30. Thunmuki 31.Hevilambi 32. Vilambi 33. Vikaari 34. Saarvari 35.Pilava 36.Subakiruthu 37. Sobakiruthu 38. Kurothi 39. Visuvaasuva 40. Paraapava 41. Pilavanga 42. Keelaka 43. Soumiya 44. Saathaarana 45.Virothikiruthu 46. Parithaapi 47. Piramaatheesa 48. Aanantha 49. Raatchasa 50. Nala 51. Pingala 52.Kaalayukthi 53. Siththaarththi 54. Rouththri 55. Thunmathi 56. Thunththupi 57. Ruthrothkaari 58. Rakthaatchi 59. Kurothana 60. Atsaya

After the completion of 60 year cycle, the calendar starts from the beginning with the first year.

Traditional Sinhala sweets

The Sinhalese too celebrate their new year on April 14th 2010 while following their traditions. They dress up in new clothes, worship the elders and transact cash and partake in meals. Women play the “Raban” during the festive time. Children and adults enjoy singing traditional folk songs and play traditional sports. It’s an occasion for celebration , togetherness and fun.

“The weather had been unusually hot for the past few months.On new year’s eve we had continuous rain for few hours.It is God’s blessings for prosperity” said Thirunavukarasu Sadachcharan, a resident of Bambalapitty while worshiping at Naattukottai Nagaraththaar (New Kathiresan) temple.

“Maruththu Neer” is being boiled at a Hindu temple.“Maruththu Neer” (medicinal water) to anoint at the dawn of New Year. “Maruththu Neer” is made of “Arugu”, “Vilvam”, “Kondral”, “Aal”, “Arasu” (bo tree leaves), “Mathulai” (pomegranate) , “Thamarai” (lotus), “Thulasi”, “Kosalam”, “Komayam”, Milk, King Coconut, Rose water, “Sukku” (dried ginger), Cardamom, and Nutmeg.

These ingredients are boiled together for few minutes and made as watery. Variety of decoration adorn the temples and houses on this day.

Sinnaiah Balasubramaniam is seen making the “Maruththu Neer”

Devotees are seen buying “Maruththu Neer” at Naattukottai Nagaraththaar (New Kathiresan) temple

Getting ready to welcome the new year

Firecrackers corner in Bambalapitty

Marriage proposals are made during the Tamil Month of “Chiththirai”

Festive spirit spreads

The New Year is observed with great devotion

The Tamil month of “Chiththirai” marks the birth of spring

Busy making garlands for their customers

Sun is the presiding deity of the planet according to many Astrologers

Breaking coconuts before entering the temple

New Year wishes are made

Devotees thronged the temples amidst a heavy downpour with lightning and thunderstorm

Ritualistic observances are made on new year eve

Famous Garland maker Annamalai Navaratnam (known as Nava) is seen busy on his mobile taking an order

View of the Kopuram of Naattukottai Nagaraththaar (New Kathiresan)

Temple Pigeons are being fed

Festivity of goodwill and generosity is felt by many

Traditional Tamil sweets

A luxury coach with the blessings of God, getting ready for a long journey to Jaffna

Side view of the Kopuram of Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty (also known as Maanikka Pilliyar Thirukoyil)from Galle Road

Lord Vinayagar on top of the main entrance of Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitty ( also known as Maanikka Pilliyar Thirukoyil) is dressed up for the Vikirththy new year amidst a heavy downpour in town

Variety of fruits offered on new year

Sweet Rice is offered to Sun God

Decorated shrine room for the new year

Kuththu Vilakku is lit in a shrine room

First cash transaction after the new year will take place on April 15th 2010
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