Puthandu, also known as Tamil New Year or Varsha Pirappu, is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil solar calendar month of Chithirai, which falls on April 14 this year. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by Tamilians all over the world. The day is celebrated by decorating homes, preparing delicious meals, and making colourful kolam designs made of rice flour at the entrance of the house. There's a popular belief that eating Mangai Pachadi, a dish with different tastes that symbolises the different emotions experienced in life, brings balance and harmony. The dish is therefore an essential part of the Puthandu celebrations. Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka observe Puthandu as a public holiday, while in other parts of India, it's celebrated as Poyla Boishakh, Vishu, Baisakhi, and Bihu. Additionally, the Tamil New Year offers a chance to reconnect with loved ones and hope for new beginnings with positivity and optimism.