Amid lockdown due to coronavirus spread, people across Tamil Nadu welcomed the Tamil New Year or “Saarvari” with traditional fervour.People greeted each other by saying “Puthaandu Vazhthukkal”.

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwailal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami greeted people on the occasion. The lockdown prompted muted celebrations, as people confined themselves to homes to offer prayers indoors. People greeted each other over phones and through social media platforms, even as temples, generally buzzing during the new year, remained closed due to the lockdown.

Many households prepared special delicacies to enjoy the Tamil new year, the first major festival to be celebrated during the ongoing lockdown. Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced extension of the national lockdown till May 3 as part of the country”s fight against COVID19

On Monday, Chief Minister K Palaniswami had announced that the state was extending the lockdown till April 30. Extending his greetings, Purohit said the new year is celebrated on the first day of Tamil month ”Chithirai” every year to “mark the onset of peace, prosperity and joy in our families” and stressed on social distancing. “It (the new year) marks the greatness of our tradition, heritage and culture.

May the state and its people be filled with hope and happiness for a glorious future during this year,” he said in his message. Purohit urged people to resolve to work together in the spirit of harmony and friendship to usher in progress and development so as to create a brighter and better tomorrow. “I also request all the people of Tamil Nadu tofollow the government guidelines regarding COVID-19 scrupulously and to stay at home and be safe,” he said.

Palaniswami said the Tamil people, known for their pluralism and culture, had been celebrating the new year in ”Chithirai” for long. His government was striving to realise the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa”s aim of making the state numero uno in many areas, including economy and social justice. “Let prosperity flourish in the homes on the occasion of the new year and let there be light of joy in all our lives,” he said in his greetings. TNCC president K S Alagiri, AMMK leader and independent legislator TTV Dhinakaran and Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan also extended their new year greetings.

Celebrities wished fans and netizens on the occasion of Puthandu or the Tamil New Year on April 14.
Puthandu falls on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai.Superstar Rajinikanth wished his fans and followers on Puthandu 2020. “May this Tamil New Year be
good and peaceful for all. Special thanks to Rajini fan club members for their tireless social service in
these difficult times. Please follow the instructions by the government and authorities to stay safe,” he
tweeted.

?? pic.twitter.com/btX9Uv3LBD

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 14, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Actor-turned-politician BJP  MP Hema Malini asked people to celebrate the festival in their homes. “Let us pray
for a new corona free year where all normalcy is restored & we are able to resume all our frozen
activities in a happy frame of mind, without any fear!” the original Dream Girl tweeted.

Celebrations today ( of course in the safety of ur homes).
It is Tamill New Year & also Baisakhi. Let us pray for a new corona free year where all normalcy is restored & we are able to resume all our frozen activities in a happy frame of mind, without any fear!? pic.twitter.com/6mrmSC30lP

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 13, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

The Tamil New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai which normally falls on April 13 or 14 annually.Houses are decorated with ‘kolam’ (rangoli) outside the front door. Mango leaves adorn the door frames.

While in normal days temples will be crowded from early hours, due to the lockdown people were tied down to their homes.At home, Tamilians normally feasted on dishes like vada and payasam (sweet dish) and other savouries.But due to lockdown and shortage of groceries at retail outlets, the traditional feast in some homes was cut short.However, the special dish of the day the ‘mango pachidi’ made with neem flowers, jaggery, mango, green chilli, salt and tamarind juice representing the six major human emotions was made