Puthandu 2026: Tamil New Year Date, Sankranti Moment, Significance And Rituals

Puthandu 2026: Puttantu or Puthandu, also known as the Tamil New Year, is the first day of the Tamil calendar. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm around April 14 every year. On this day, festivals like Baisakhi are celebrated in North India and Vishu in Kerala. On this day, people greet each other by saying "Puttadu Vastukal". This festival is considered to symbolise the arrival of the new year and happiness and prosperity.

Below, we have mentioned all the important details regarding the date, time, shubh muhuratam, significance and rituals for Puthandu or Tamil New Year:

Puthandu 2026: Tamil New Year Date

- Puthandu 2026 Date: 14th April 2026, Tuesday (Tamil Shaka Samvata 1948 Begins)

- Sankranti Moment On Puthandu: 09:39 AM

Puthandu 2026: Significance

The Tamil New Year or Puthandu is celebrated with enthusiasm and love in the Tamil culture. This particular day is marked with cleaning up one's house and decorating one’s plate with fresh fruits and flowers. People wear new clothes, seek blessings from the elders, and have a vegetarian feast together. The festival is not only celebrated with a lot of fanfare in India but also by Tamil communities in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore, among other nations.

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Puthandu or Tamil New Year marks the new Tamil Shaka Samvat. On this day, people greet each other by saying Puttadu Vastukal.(Image Source: Freepik) 

Puthandu 2026: Rituals

The celebration of Puthandu or the Tamil New Year falls on the 14th of April. People use rice flour decorations on the doors of homes, which is known as Kolam on this day.  During this season, there are magnificent exhibitions conducted at the Meenakshi temple in Madurai and a grand chariot festival conducted at Thiruvidaimrudur.

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The unique custom associated with this festival is watching ‘Kani’. On the morning of New Year’s Day, people shut their eyes and approach the puja plate containing fruits, jewellery, money, and mirrors. It is said that viewing these good things at the beginning of the year will lead to a happy and prosperous year ahead.

(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)