The Tamil People Celebrate New Year Today Across the Indian Ocean and Beyond
This Monday, April 14, 2025, thousands of people of Tamil origin across the Indian Ocean – from Réunion Island to India, including Sri Lanka and Mauritius – are celebrating Tamil New Year, marking the beginning of the year 5126 in the Tamil calendar. Known as Puthandu, this important moment in Hindu spirituality is rich in traditions, rituals, and family togetherness.
In Réunion, Tamil New Year is one of the highlights of the cultural calendar. From early morning, Hindu temples welcome devotees who gather for prayers and ceremonies, ushering in a new cycle symbolized by renewal, balance, and positive energy. Each year, the celebration is a time for many families to reflect, purify the spirit, and pray for prosperity and peace.
Beyond the religious rituals, Puthandu is also a time of sharing: families come together over traditional dishes, while towns and villages host dance performances, concerts, craft exhibitions, and cultural events that showcase the richness of Tamil heritage.
In other parts of the Indian Ocean – South India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and among the Tamil diaspora around the world – Tamil New Year holds the same significance: a time to pass down values, memory, and the traditions of a people whose culture continues to shine wherever it takes root.
Puthandu Vazhthukal! (Happy New Year to all!)
