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“Sarvathaari”- dawns April 13th, 2008

April 12th, 2008

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Puththaandu” or “Puthu Varusham” literally translates New Year. The New Year is the harbinger of spring. Tamil and Sinhala New Year dawns on April 13th 2008 at 4.55 pm according to Vaakkiya Panchaangam, and at 6.29 pm according to Thirukanitha Panchaangam on Poosam Natchaththiram first stage. Vishu Punniya Kaalam or auspicious time is 12.55 pm to 8.55pm. Panchaangam is an almanac.

The auspicious colour for this year is red silk or red and green colour mixed silk. And the auspicious stone is gem or emerald. The New Year will be called “Sarvathaari”. This is the 22nd year of the 60 year cycle of the Tamil calendar. There are twelve astronomically ordained houses. They are:

1. Meda Veedu
2. Idaba Veedu
3. Mithuna Veedu
4. Kataka Veedu
5. Singa Veedu
6. Kanni Veedu
7. Thula Veedu
8. Virutchika Veedu
9. Thanu Veedu
10. Makara Veedu
11. Kumba Veedu
12. Meena Veedu

The Sun moves into the Meda Veedu (Aries) from Meena Veedu (Pisces), which falls in Mid April is celebrated as the Tamil New Year. It’s the commencement of the Tamil month Chiththirai . April is the month of reveal and revelry. It’s an auspicious month for the Tamils. Feasts, fasts, festivals and family events are scheduled during the month of “Chiththirai”.The New Year falls during the “Ilavenil Kaalam” or spring time for the Tamils. It’s also noted that, the birds begin to hum, flowers bloom and trees with fresh green leaves during the spring time. The Sun travels from Meda Veedu and stays in other houses respectively throughout twelve months. The whole journey through each house takes one year.

[Sarvathaari Celebration: Kurai Onrum Illai (No Regrets Have I) A Saxophone rendering of the Tamil composition of C. Rajagopalachari, by Kadri Gopalnath]

The Hindus clean the houses and compound before the New Year; have “Maruththu Neer” (made of various herbals) bath; dressed in new clothes according to the year’s lucky colour and welcome the New Year by lighting fire crackers and make sweet rice at home. Hindus queue up at temple to get “Maruththu Neer” (medicinal water) to anoint at the dawn of New Year. “Maruththu Neer” is made of “Arugu”, “Vilvam”, “Kondral”, “Aal”, “Arasu” (bo tree leaves), “Mathulai” (pomegranate) , “Thamarai” (lotus), “Thulasi”, “Kosalam”, “Komayam”, Milk, King Coconut, Rose water, “Sukku” (dried ginger), Cardamom, and Nutmeg. These ingredients are boiled together for few minutes and made as watery. Variety of decoration adorn the temples and houses on this day.

People throng the temples to worship for the wellbeing of their families. Special meals are cooked and shared with relatives and friends on this day. On an auspicious time first cash transaction called “Kai Vishesham” is made by the head of the family to the rest of the family. Auspicious time for money transaction is on April 14th from 12.26pm to 2.02pm.

The Tamil calendar has 60 year cycle according to “Vaakkiya Panchchaangam” and Thirukanitha Panchchaangam” (traditional Tami Almanacs). They are named as follows:

1. Prabhava
2. Vibhava
3. Sukla
4. Pramodhoodha
5. Prachorpaththi
6. Aangirasa
7. Srimukha
8. Bhava
9. Yuva
10. Thaadhu
11. Eesvara
12. Vehudhanya
13. Piramaathi
14. Vikrama
15. Visha
16. Chitirabaanu
17.Subaanu
18. Thaarana
19. Paarththipa
20. Viya
21. Sarvasithu
22. Sarvathaari
23. Virothi
24. Vikruthi
25. Kara
26. Nanthana
27. Vijaya
28. Jaya
29. Manmatha
30. Thunmuki
31.Hevilambi
32. Vilambi
33. Vikaari
34. Saarvari
35.Pilava
36.Subakiruthu
37. Sobakiruthu
38. Kurothi
39. Visuvaasuva
40. Paraapava
41. Pilavanga
42. Keelaka
43. Soumiya
44. Saathaarana
45.Virothikiruthu
46. Parithaapi
47. Piramaatheesa
48. Aanantha
49. Raatchasa
50. Nala
51. Pingala
52.Kaalayukthi
53. Siththaarththi
54. Rouththri
55. Thunmathi
56. Thunththupi
57. Ruthrothkaari
58. Rakthaatchi
59. Kurothana
60. Atsaya

After the completion of 60 year cycle, the calendar starts from the beginning with the first year.

The Sinhalese too celebrate their new year on April 13th 2008 with their traditions. They dress up in new clothes, worship the elders and transact cash and partake in meals. Women play the “Raban” during the festive time. Children and adults enjoy singing traditional folk songs and play traditional sports. It’s an occasion for celebration and fun.

A view of the Kopuram of Sammankodu Sri Kathirvelaiyutha Swamy temple in Bambalapitiya from Naattukottai Nagaraththaar New Kathiresan temple in Bambalapitty

Fire crackers and fruit stall in Bambalapitty

Thiruchelvam is making garlands in Bambalapityy. He is better known as Thiru among his customers

Maruththu Neer is being prepared at Naattukottai Nagaraththar New Kathiresan temple

Flower garlands reflect on the mirrors of a car parked on Galle Road in Bambalapitty

Fresh flower garlands adorn the temples and houses

Pillaiyar made of Saffron flour and kept in a shrine room of a Hindu house

Kumbam is set in the shrine room

Offerings of sweet rice, banana and vadai to the Sun

Betel and arecanut are considered holy by the Hindus

Offerings of Vadai

The first money transaction in the new year takes place at an auspicious time

Entry Filed under: Heritage