TAMIL NEW YEAR WISH

[P L SIVAKUMAR]

 

 

With regards,

P.L. SIVAKUMAR

[Ashraff Tim]

Dear Mr. Venkatraman,

 

Sorry to mention that you forgot one important thing and let me add up a few things.

 

The New Year day celebration of Malayalees, i.e. the "VISHU",  also falls concurrently on the same dates of the others you mentioned, which is  celebrated on the first day of the Malayalam month Medam (Mesham), and this also usually falls on the 14th of April.

 

This is not only the festival of Malayalees, and I think it is same festival celebrated in other parts of India also on the same day, with different names like Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab, Puthendu in Tamil Nadu, and Vishua Sankranti in Orissa, with their unique customs and rituals.

This is one of the major festivals of Kerala, especially among the Hindus., with its main features like Vishukkani, vishukkaineetam, vishu pulari etc.

 

The significance of Vishu and is believed that, when the sun crosses the equator it is the 1st day of Malayalam month Medam which is Astronomical New Year Day for the people of Kerala, and this falls in April, mostly on the 14th. 

 

Keralites celebrate this day as Vishu, which is considered as the new beginning and auspicious day, and celebrate it traditionally with colorful rituals and customs, accompanied by joy and merriment.

 

Vishu is celebrated as New Year, and as asymbol of good luck, hope and prosperity.

 

Tim

On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 11:48 PM, VENKATARAMAN R. <insuranc...@yahoo.co.in> wrote:

Dear Sir, 

I was away on a pilgrimage with my family, I missed to see your mail yesterday.  Today I have read your mail and would like to brief upon the TAMIL NEW YEAR, as given in Wikepedia.  

Thanks for the opportunity, Sir. 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puthandu

Puthandu (Tamil: புத்தாண்டு), or better known as Tamil New Year, 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 inMalaysia, Singapore, Réunion and Mauritius. On this day, Tamil people greet each other by saying "Puthandu Vazthukal" ( புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள் ) or "Iniya Tamizh Puthandu Nalvaazhthukkal" (இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்). 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 Gregorian year. 14 April marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and is a public holiday in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Tropical vernal equinox fall around 22 March, and adding 23 degrees of trepidation or oscillation to it, we get the Hindu sidereal or Nirayana Mesha Sankranti (Sun's transition into Nirayana Aries).

Hence, the Tamil calendar begins on the same date observed by most traditional calendars in India as in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Mithila, Odisha, Punjab, Tripura etc. not to mention Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The 60-year cycle is ancient and is observed by most traditional calendars of India and China, and is related to 5 revolutions of Jupiter, or to 60-year orbit of Nakshatras (stars) as described in the Surya Siddhanta.

The 60 year cycle comes by 5 revolutions of Jupiter and 2 revolutions of Saturn. The relative position of Jupiter and Saturn in one particular year will be repeated after 60 years. The 60 year cycle was essentially conceived for predicting the climate of a particular year, as the relative position of the two major planets, Jupiter and Saturn, is recognized for its impact on climate. 

The traditional Tamil year starts on 14 April 2014, Kaliyuga 5116. Vikrama and Shalivahana Saka eras are also used. There are several references in early Tamil literature to the April new year. Nakkirar, the author of the Nedunalvaadai writes in the 3rd century that the Sun travels from Mesha/Chitterai through 11 successive Raasis or signs of the zodiac. Kūdalūr Kizhaar in the 3rd century refers to Mesha Raasi/Chitterai as the commencement of the year in the Puranaanooru. The Tolkaapiyam is the oldest surviving Tamil grammar that divides the year into six seasons where Chitterai marks the start of the Ilavenil season or summer. The 8th century Silappadikaaram mentions the 12 Raasis or zodiac signs starting with Mesha/Chitterai. 

The Manimekalai alludes to the Hindu solar calendar as we know it today. Adiyarkunalaar, an early medieval commentator or Urai-asiriyar mentions the 12 months of the Tamil calendar with particular reference to Chitterai. There were subsequent inscriptional references in Pagan, Burma dated to the 11th century CE and in Sukhothai, Thailand dated to the 14th century CE to South Indian, often Vaishnavite, courtiers who were tasked with defining the traditional calendar that began in mid-April.

Celebration[

Tamil people celebrate Tamil new year on 14 April. This is the month of Chitterai, the first month of the Tamil solar calendar. On the eve of Puthandu, a tray arranged with three fruits (mango,banana and jack fruit), betel leaves and arecanut, gold/silver jewellery, coins/money, flowers and a mirror is placed. This is to be viewed upon waking in the morning. In the temple city of Madurai, the Chitterai Thiruvizha is celebrated in the Meenakshi Temple. A huge exhibition is held, called Chitterai Porutkaatchi. In some parts of Southern Tamil Nadu, it is called Chittirai Vishu. The day is marked with a feast inTamil homes and entrances to the houses are decorated elaborately with kolams. In most parts of India, one can see neemtrees blooming with their flowers and the first batch of mangoes hanging prominently. This day is celebrated by some communities with neem flowers and raw mangoes to symbolize growth and prosperity.

On the day of Tamil New Year, a big Car Festival is held at Tiruvidaimarudur near Kumbakonam. Festivals are also held at Tiruchirapalli, Kanchipuram and many other places.

Sri Lankan Tamils observe the traditional new year in April with the first financial transaction known as the 'Kai-vishesham' where elders gift money to the unmarried young, particularly children as a token of good luck. The event is also observed with the 'arpudu' or the first ploughing of the ground to prepare for the new agricultural cycle. The 'punya-kaalam' or auspicious time when the sun reportedly shifts from Meena raasi to Mesha raasi is considered ideal to commence new activities on a favorable note. Sri Lankan Tamils begin the year with a herbal bath with 'maruthu-neer' with ingredients for good health. The game of 'por-thenkai' or coconut wars between youth is played in villages through the Tamil north and east of the island while cart races are also held.^[ The festive Puthandu season in April is a time for family visits and the renewal of filial bonds. It coincides with the Sinhalese new year season.

In Malaysia and Singapore, Tamils join Sikhs, Malayalees and Bengalis to celebrate the traditional new year in mid-April with leaders across the political spectrum wishing the ethnic Indian community for the new year. Special religious events are held in Hindu temples, in Tamil community centers and Gurudwaras. Cultural programs and media events also take place. Its a day of celebration for the Indian community.

 

 

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R. VENKATARAMAN  

| Surveyor & Loss Assessor | IIISLA M# F/S/01906 |
| 58 Cooperative-A Colony | KK Pudur, Saibaba Colony |
| Coimbatore - 641 038 | Tamil Nadu 
| Mobile: 98430-43942 | Phone: 0422-4383942, 2443942 | 

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All communications by any media addressed from Surveyors to Insurers/Insureds/Repairers in respect of any claim of whatsoever nature are WITHOUT PREJUDICE to the rights of the Insurers on the matter of admission of liability.

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From: dmpanditrao <jaid...@dataone.in>
To: iiisla...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, 14 April 2014 12:05 PM

Subject: Re: NEW YEAR GREETINGS

Dear Friends from Tamilnadu & Bengal,

 

I wish you all the happiness in the world in comming years.

 

I request you to share the religious backgrounds with which the new Tamil year day / Bengal year day is being celebrated.I am of the opinion that each may have regional significance and we must share it to know INDIA

 

Hope to receive some encouraging new cultural backgrounds from south & eastern parts of India.

Thanks  for newyear day greeting

with regards

-dmpanditrao/Kolhapur/Maharashtra

 

  

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[VENKATARAMAN R.]

 

Dear Sir, 

Yes.  I admit that the important festival of Malayalees celebrated during the same season was left out in the write up by oversight.  Thanks for correcting me, Sir.  

Vishu (Malayalam: വിഷു) is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala and as Bisu in the Karnataka region (Mangalore & Udupi districts), usually in the second week of April in the Gregorian calendar.

Vishu is celebrated with much fanfare and vigour in all parts of Kerala. It is considered a festival of light and fireworks, and decorating lights and bursting of firecrackers (Vishupadakkam) is part of the celebration. Other elements of Vishu include buying of new clothes (Puthukodi) for the occasion, the tradition of giving money calledVishukkaineetam , and the Vishu feast or Sadya, which consist of equal proportions of salty, sweet, sour and bitter items. Feast items include Veppampoorasam, Mampazhappulissery, Vishu kanji and Vishu katta .

The most important event in Vishu is the Vishukkani, which literally means "the first thing seen on the day of Vishu after waking up". The Vishukkani consists of a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles intended to signify prosperity, including rice, fruits and vegetables, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, yellow flowers called konna (Cassia fistula), holy texts and coins, usually in the prayer room of the house. This is arranged the night before Vishu and is the first sight seen on Vishu. On Vishu, devotees often visit temples like Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple or GuruvayurSree Krishna temple to have a 'Vishukkani Kazhcha' (viewing) in the early hours of the day.

 

 

---

R. VENKATARAMAN  

| Surveyor & Loss Assessor | IIISLA M# F/S/01906 |
| 58 Cooperative-A Colony | KK Pudur, Saibaba Colony |
| Coimbatore - 641 038 | Tamil Nadu 
| Mobile: 98430-43942 | Phone: 0422-4383942, 2443942 | 

---

All communications by any media addressed from Surveyors to Insurers/Insureds/Repairers in respect of any claim of whatsoever nature are WITHOUT PREJUDICE to the rights of the Insurers on the matter of admission of liability.

---

---

From: Ashraff Tim <tim56....@gmail.com>
To: iiisla...@googlegroups.com; insurance-su...@googlegroups.com; insurance_surveyors <insurance...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, 16 April 2014 7:40 AM