Puthandu 2026: Tamil New Year — Date, Kani & Traditions
Puthandu is the Tamil New Year, also known as Varusha Pirappu (meaning "birth of a new year"), celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai. In 2026, Puthandu falls on 14 April — the same day as Vishu (Kerala New Year) and coinciding with Mesha Sankranti. The most cherished ritual is Kani — the auspicious first sight at dawn — where an arrangement of fruits, flowers, gold, a mirror and other auspicious items is prepared the night before.
Puthandu 2026: 14 April · Fixed Solar Date (Chithirai 1) · Verified Regional DataPuthandu
✓ Verified Regional DataPuthandu 2026
14 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Kani (First Sight)
Viewed at dawn on 14 April 2026
Astronomical Basis
Mesha Sankranti — Sun enters Aries (Sidereal)
Region
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, India
About Puthandu
Puthandu marks the beginning of the Tamil solar new year, observed on Chithirai 1 in the Tamil calendar, which corresponds to Mesha Sankranti — the day the Sun enters the sidereal zodiac sign of Aries. It is a fixed solar date, falling on 14 April every year (occasionally April 13). The festival celebrates renewal, family bonds and the hope for prosperity in the new year. While sharing the same astronomical moment as Vishu (Kerala) and Baisakhi (Punjab), Puthandu is a distinctly Tamil celebration with its own unique rituals, foods and traditions.
Significance of Puthandu
Puthandu — Tamil for "new year" — is a celebration rooted in Tamil culture and the Tamil solar calendar (Surya Siddhanta). The Tamil solar calendar is one of the oldest continuously used solar calendars in the world, and the new year on Chithirai 1 has been observed by Tamil communities for over a millennium. The festival is an expression of gratitude for the past year and prayer for abundance in the year ahead.
The Kani tradition — literally "first sight" — is the heart of Puthandu morning. The night before, families arrange an auspicious display: mango, jackfruit, bananas and other seasonal fruits; flowers (especially jasmine and marigold); a mirror; gold or jewellery; and a lamp. Family members view this arrangement as the first sight of the new year, believing it sets the tone for the year's fortune and prosperity.
Puthandu is also a time for family gatherings, temple visits, wearing new clothes and enjoying traditional Tamil foods made with seasonal ingredients — especially raw mango, which is at its peak during this season. The festival is celebrated with equal enthusiasm by Tamil communities across India and around the world.
How Puthandu is Celebrated
Kani Arrangement (Night Before)
The night before Puthandu, the family prepares the Kani — an auspicious display of seasonal fruits (mango, jackfruit, banana, coconut), flowers, a lit lamp, a mirror and gold or jewellery. It is arranged in a large tray or bell-metal vessel before the household deity, so it is the first thing family members see upon waking on New Year's morning.
Kani Darshan at Dawn
On Puthandu morning, family members wake before sunrise and are led (eyes closed) to view the Kani. The first sight of the auspicious display is believed to bring good luck, prosperity and blessings for the entire year.
Temple Visit
Families visit temples early in the morning for special Puthandu puja. At many temples, the new year almanac (Panchangam) is read aloud by priests, giving astrological and agricultural predictions for the coming Tamil year.
New Clothes and Family Gatherings
Wearing new clothes on Puthandu is an important tradition — parents gift new clothes to children and younger family members. Families gather for a festive meal, and elders bless the younger generation.
Mango-Based Dishes
Raw mangoes are at their seasonal peak during Puthandu and feature prominently in festival cooking — mango rice (Maavadu Sadam), raw mango pickle (Maavadu), mango pachadi and mango-based curries are prepared and shared.
Puthandu Foods & Festive Dishes
Traditional Puthandu Dishes
- •Mango Pachadi (raw mango in six tastes — sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty, tangy)
- •Maavadu (raw mango pickle)
- •Maanga Sadam (mango rice)
- •Paruppu Payasam (lentil kheer)
- •Vada and Sundal
Festival Sweets & Seasonal Specials
- •Sakkarai Pongal (sweet rice)
- •Kozhukattai (steamed rice dumpling)
- •Neem flower rasam (neem blossom soup)
- •Coconut rice
- •Banana-based sweets
ℹ️ Dishes and offerings may vary by region and family tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Source Details
Data Source
Verified Regional Sources · Tamil Panchangam · Solar Calendar (Chithirai 1 / Mesha Sankranti)
Editorial Review
6 June 2026
Verification Status
Verified Regional Data
Region / Location
Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, India