Submitted by Sindhu
People welcome the new year day, by cleansing and white washing the house and decorating with mango leaves. The front Yard of the house will be decorated with Kolams. Districts lying in the coastal regions of Kerala and adjoining districts of these districts in Tamil Nadu celebrate New Year similar to that of Vishu in Kerala. What is called Vishu Kani in Kerala is called Chithirai Kani in Tamil Nadu. Kani means fruit. Fruits are offered to God along with other items like coconut, betal leaves, arcanut or betal nuts, flowers, raw rice, nuts. In the dawn of the new year, these fruits and vegetables along with gold and silver placed in front of the idol of the God is the first thing to be seen. It is considered auspicious. It is believed that it brings prosperity. (....more....)
People take oil bath and wear new clothes. They do poojas at home and visit temples. After having the prasadh (items like fruits and other eatables offered to God) will be distributed to all in the family. Then they visit temple.
Read the rest of the enthralling post, Tamil New Year - Chithirai Kani / Tamil Varusha Pirappu.
Sindhu maintains several blogs on India and other topics of her interest. Read more amazing narratives about India, her culture, traditions, rituals and modern life at Flower Girl's Rural India.
Thank you, Sindhu for allowing me to publish this snippet from your informative article!
Happy Tamil New Year to one and all!