Also known as: Tamil New Year · Varusha Pirappu · Puthuvarusham · Chithirai 1
Tiruchirappalli timings
Date
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Tuesday
Sunrise
6:05 AM
Sunset
6:25 PM
Moonrise
3:30 AM
Moonset
3:39 PM
Shubh muhurat in Tiruchirappalli
Abhijit Muhurat11:50 AM – 12:40 PM
Rahu Kaal — avoid3:20 PM – 4:52 PM
The tradition names no separate muhurat for this festival — it is observed through the day. Abhijit is the day’s generally auspicious window and Rahu Kaal the one to avoid.
Puthandu is the Tamil new year, the first day of Chithirai, fixed by the Sun’s entry into Mesha rather than by the Moon. Tamil Nadu dates it by sunset — if the Sun crosses into Mesha before it goes down, that day is Chithirai 1 — which is why Puthandu and Kerala’s Vishu, the same astronomical instant, do not always fall on the same day.
How it is observed
The year is met with the kanni: a tray of fruit, gold, betel, a mirror and a lamp, arranged so it is the first thing seen on waking. The new year’s panchangam is read aloud at the temple, and the meal turns on mangai-pachadi, which carries all six tastes because the year ahead will too.
Puthandu 2026 in Tiruchirappalli is on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Is Puthandu 2026 on the same day in Tiruchirappalli as in India?
Yes. Puthandu falls on Apr 14, 2026 in both Tiruchirappalli and India this year, though the puja timings differ because sunrise and moonrise are local.
What else is Puthandu called?
Puthandu is also known as Tamil New Year, Varusha Pirappu, Puthuvarusham, Chithirai 1. These are regional names and spellings for the same festival.