Puthandu (Tamil: புத்தாண்டு, Puttāṇṭu, 'new year'), also known as Tamil New Year (Tamil: வருடப்பிறப்பு, Varusappiṟappu, 'birth of year'), is the first day of year on the Tamil calendar that is traditionally celebrated as a festival by Tamils. The festival date is set with the solar cycle of the solar Hindu calendar, as the first day of the month of Chittirai. It falls on or about 14 April every year on the Gregorian calendar. The same day is observed elsewhere in South and South East Asia as the traditional new year, but it is known by other names such as Vishu in Kerala, Bisu Parba in Tulunadu, and Vaisakhi or Baisakhi in central and northern India.
