Puthandu, or Tamil New Year, is set to be celebrated on April 14, 2026. This significant festival marks the first day of the Tamil calendar, symbolizing new beginnings and a time for reflection. Families typically start the day with a ritual bath and visit temples to seek blessings. Homes are adorned with kolams, intricate rice flour patterns, and a 'lamp' to dispel darkness. On the eve of Puthandu, families prepare a 'kanni' tray filled with items like gold, silver, fruits, and a mirror, believed to bring prosperity for the year ahead. A traditional dish, mangai pachadi, embodies the year's experiences by combining six flavors, from sweet to bitter. As the festival approaches, heartfelt wishes are shared among friends and family, celebrating health, happiness, and the richness of life.