Chennai, April 14 -- Tamil New Year, which marks the first day of the Tamil month
Chithirai, was celebrated across Tamil Nadu with reigious and spiritual fervour on
Monday.
The auspicious day symbolizes new beginnings, hope and prosperity, and is steeped
in age-old traditions passed down through generations.
In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the day begins with the viewing of the 'Kanni', a ceremonial
sighting of auspicious items like fruits, flowers, raw rice, gold or silver jewelry, betel leaves,
a mirror, and sacred texts, set up in front of a lamp-lit space.
It is believed that seeing these first thing in the morning ensures good fortune throughout
the year.
As the day dawned, people beautifully decorated their homes drew kolams ...