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Puthandu (Hindu)
April 13
Today is Puthandu (also called Puthuvarudam or Tamil New Year). Many Hindus consider today the solar new year and mark the occasion by thanking God/Universe for another new year and new beginnings.
Traditional celebrations include an elaborate feast with 6 different tastes – sweet, sour, spice (hot), salt, bitter and ‘thuvarpu’ (like Umami). This is to symbolize that our life is filled with different experiences and emotions and remember to embrace and enjoy them all. Celebrants will typically make one dish with all of these tastes in it. The recipe is all about balancing each of the ingredients, like the recipe to a balanced life.
You can learn more about this holiday here.
Traditional Tamil greetings include: “Puthāaṇdu vāazhthugal!” or “Iṉiya puthaandu nalvāazhthugal!”, which is equivalent to “Happy new year”.
